MGP Team
Eric P. Wilson has spent most of his life living outside the U.S., including the UK and Southeast Asia, with the last 15 being in the Middle East. He has brought some of the most innovative companies in Healthcare, Education, and Sustainability to those countries and investors. Eric’s familiarity with the Middle East began in the 1980s while working at Saudi International Bank (SIB). There, he was Managing Director and Head of the Oil & Petrochemical Group working closely with SAMA, Aramco, Petromin, and SABIC.
Eric’s familiarity with the Middle East began in the 1980s while working at Saudi International Bank (SIB). There, he was Managing Director and Head of the Oil & Petrochemical Group working closely with SAMA, Aramco, Petromin, and SABIC.
He returned to the Middle East in 2009 as a Board Member and Director at QInvest (Qatar’s preeminent investment bank) to create partnerships between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and brokering numerous M&A opportunities. He has since led Corporate Finance and Advisory at The Capital Partnership and was Managing Director and Head of Healthcare at Global Investment Bank.
Between 1988 and 2001, Eric was a leading producer in Equity Capital Markets and held the position of Managing Director and member of the Executive Committee at Piper Jaffray, a leading international middle-market investment firm based in the US that specializes in investment banking, institutional securities, asset management, and healthcare. It has continued to be one of the largest investment houses on Wall Street.
Eric continues to act as an ambassador to the region, bringing great companies and their technologies to facilitate real change in the MENA region. He has raised well over $1b bringing some of the most exciting technologies in healthcare, “clean meats”, and digital education to the MENA region. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Political Science, from St. Olaf University, in Northfield, MN.
Brent Richardson served as a Non-Executive Chairman of Grand Canyon Education, Inc. from June 2015 to January 2017 and previously served as its Executive Chairman from July 2008 to June 2015. He served as a Non-Executive Director of Grand Canyon Education, Inc. from June 2015 to January 2017 and previously served as its Executive Director from 2004 to June 2015.
He joined Grand Canyon University in 2003 and led the transformation for a near-bankrupt university into a world-class institution with a reputation as “the university with a heart.” He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Grand Canyon Education, Inc. from 2004 to July 2008. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Masters Online LLC from 2000 to 2004. He was instrumental in growing and expanding this effort across the nation and partnering with Grand Canyon University in 2003. He served as Director of Sales and Marketing and General Manager of the Educational Division of Private Networks.
He has over 20 years of experience in the education industry. He served as Sales Representative and Sales Director of Prescription Learning and Educational Management Group. He worked at Private Networks, where he directed sales and marketing and the entire Educational Division. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Finance from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL.
Griffin is a young economist and research analyst, originally from Minnesota. Before returning to the US for University, Griffin spent over a decade of his childhood growing up in the Middle East, spending his time primarily in the United Arab Emirates, more specifically Abu Dhabi. It was during this time that he grew a love and passion for Middle Eastern culture and traditions, which made him want to return upon completion of his secondary education.
Griffin has spent time at several unique companies working as an analyst in three different fields (finance, Media, and VC/PE). It was during his last stint at Loup Ventures that he obtained a passion for the Venture Capital industry, searching for and analyzing innovative start-up companies around the globe. He continues his passion for Venture Capital while working at GSV Capital Partners; a new Venture platform that has recently started in the ADGM, Abu Dhabi.
Griffin holds a BASc in Economics from the Arizona State University School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Chad Garrett, with over 20 years of experience in finance and operational leadership, has made significant strides in both education and financial sectors. As the Chief Financial Officer of a $1 billion post-secondary education company, Chad adeptly managed complex financial structures, significantly contributing to the company’s growth. His role as Managing Director was instrumental in extending US online education to international markets, demonstrating his capacity for global outreach and educational innovation.
Beyond education, Chad’s expertise in business combinations, restructuring, and greenfield startups has led to substantial value creation across various industries. His strategic vision and leadership have been pivotal in steering these sectors towards growth and success, cementing his reputation as a respected figure in his professional community.
Chad’s professional foundation in financial management and public accounting set the stage for his later achievements. He is an active Certified Public Accountant and Certified Valuation Analyst, underscoring his commitment to professional excellence.