Wade is a Managing Director and founder and leader of Cherry Tree’s Dallas-based presence. Throughout his business experience, Wade has founded or co-founded, invested in, and been a director of 25 companies. He has had the role of CEO in five of those companies, including firms that grew into a global IT services company and a nationwide real estate services company with 16 offices across the U.S. He has completed 15 mergers and acquisitions transactions and has initiated or participated in nearly 40 institutional financings.

His work experience also includes roles as the chairman of a venture capital firm, venture partner/ Entrepreneur in Residence for two venture capital firms, board member of an $850 million investment firm, strategy consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, and sales and marketing executive for Mobil Corporation.

Wade also served as an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army where he was a decorated veteran of the Gulf War.

His affiliation with Cherry Tree dates back to 1995 when he joined the firm as a Venture Partner and co-founded multiple businesses in partnership with Cherry Tree and its affiliates.

Operational Focus
— Corporate growth strategies
— Sales and marketing
— Customer analytics
— Business process outsourcing
— Software and information technology
— Internet, e-commerce and cloud computing
— Business services
— Business planning, analysis and launch strategies

Transactional Focus
— Mergers & Acquisitions (buy-side and sell-side)
— Private equity financings
— Venture capital financings

Education:
— MBA, Harvard Business School, Baker Scholar
— MS, American Technological University
— BS, North Dakota State University

Other:
— Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist
— Business case author for the
Harvard Business School
— Speaker at venture capital conferences,
entrepreneurial seminars, and top business schools
— Speaker, author, and film producer on
integrating faith, family and business