Brent Beard – CEO | Operating Engineer
| Product Innovator | Entrepreneur | Investor
Brent Beard is a visionary leader and accomplished Operating Engineer with over three decades of proven success in manufacturing, product development, and entrepreneurship. With a portfolio that spans hundreds of innovative products across the building, automotive, military, and law enforcement sectors, Brent has consistently delivered engineering solutions that shape industries and redefine performance standards.
As a strategic operator and hands-on engineer, Brent brings together deep technical expertise and executive insight to lead complex projects from concept to commercialization. His leadership has been instrumental in launching and scaling multiple ventures, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and agile manufacturing strategies to meet mission-critical demands in high-stakes environments.
Brent’s background includes extensive experience in specialized security services, private military contracting, and combatives, which uniquely positions him to design and deliver advanced protective solutions for personnel, vehicles, and infrastructure. He continues to push boundaries in the development of protective systems for first responders and defense applications worldwide.
A lifelong learner and advocate for innovation, Brent continues his professional development via MIT and industry specific research. He continues to lead with a commitment to quality, performance, and operational excellence. His ability to align engineering innovation with business outcomes has earned him recognition as a dynamic force in both the industrial and defense sectors.
Brent Beard – Manufacturing Experience, A Brief Overview.
My career in manufacturing began in May 1993, grounded in hands-on experience and a deep respect for operational excellence. I had the opportunity to work with industry pioneers such as Hercules (later acquired by Ashland Inc., NYSE: ASH) and Great Western Chemical, once the largest privately held chemical distributor in the United States, both were headquartered in Portland, Oregon.
Over the years, I built a diverse and scalable leadership foundation across multiple organizations, including Gaco Western in Tukwila, Washington, and Applied Research, among others. Starting at the ground level as a Chemical Operator, I progressed through every major operational role, Operating Engineer, Plant Foreman, Production Manager, Operations Manager, Director of Manufacturing, and VP of Manufacturing, culminating in ownership.
This journey has equipped me with a 360-degree view of manufacturing, from shop floor execution to strategic oversight, enabling me to lead with both empathy and accountability. While some of the companies I supported have since moved operations offshore, my commitment to American manufacturing, innovation, and workforce development remains stronger than ever.
Throughout my career, I’ve manufactured an extensive range of products, including polymers, urethanes, isocyanates, neoprenes, blast-resistant coatings, poly foams, epoxies, flocculants, degreasers, adhesives, proprietary composites for molded parts, and many other specialty chemicals and coatings. To date, I’ve produced well over a million gallons of product, a figure that is both accurate and hard-earned.
In August 2000, I made the pivotal decision to pursue my passion as an Independent Product Developer. Over the past 24 years, I’ve successfully developed innovative products for Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. military, law enforcement, homeland security, major infrastructure projects, numerous entrepreneurs and property developers. Many of my products have been in major retail stores, on infomercials, bridges, domes, historic buildings, battleships, armored vehicles, planes and much more.
There are no college courses that can fully prepare someone for the depth and demands of real-world manufacturing. I’ve been fortunate to gain this expertise through many years of hands-on experience, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and continuous professional development. As a real manufacturer I’m proud to contribute to an industry that is foundational to economic progress.
