Bio of Alan Beard

Spouse: Brenda. Children: Katherine, age 14, Phillip, age 14 (twins), Elliott, age 10. Katherine performs ballet at the Reston Ballet Conservatory. Phillip just earned his Eagle Scout award. Both he and Katherine are on the honor roll. Elliott won the 4th grade geography bee and was chosen to play on the community All-star basketball team. After obtaining an MPA from BYU and working on Capitol Hill for two Senators, Brenda remains active in politics. She is currently in the Relief Society Presidency.

I graduated from the University of Utah cum laude and received my MBA from the George Washington University. I have lived abroad in Europe, in addition to my time in Latin America on the mission. Currently I am a Scoutmaster, which is almost enough to make me want to go inactive! I love horseback riding and tennis. Every year my brothers and I go for a 3-4 day horseback trip to the Uintas. I also enjoy road trips with the family, both in the U.S. and abroad.

I recently became the Managing Director of Interlink Capital Strategies, a small investment-banking boutique founded by President Bush's brother, Neil. Prior to joining ICS, I was the Chief Operating Officer of Delphos International, a Washington, DC-based consulting firm that specializes in arranging financing for projects in emerging markets. (I am currently working on a banana project in Costa Rica.) Previously, I worked at both the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. I am currently an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, having edited and contributed to the writing of more than 25 books.

Comps: McLaughlin, Mikkelson, Moss, Acosta, Spangler.........it’s hard losing your memory. Areas served: Choluteca, Honduras; Managua, Nicaragua; David, Panama, La Chorerra, Panama; San Jose, Costa Rica; Canal Zone, Panama; San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

I remember the tense moments in the ZL's apartment in Managua when the Sandinistas took over the city. Elders Cavanaugh and Wing were pillars of strength. The esprit de corps and brotherhood, as well as the fear, were a real life example of disciples willing to serve the Lord under the most difficult of circumstances. With a British-born mother and summers in the UK, my focus as child was on Europe. The mission changed my whole life's orientation. (I had even specifically asked not to be sent to "anywhere south of the border" – it shows how much the Missionary Committee listens to requests.) Indeed, I got into emerging market finance as a way to do something for the lesser-developed parts of the world. The mission truly was one of the best two years of my life.