Eric Baird is an experienced entrepreneur and CEO who has focused his career on driving growth and profitability for his companies and that of his portfolio companies. His experience began in 1997, when he created AccessUSA with the vision of empowering international consumers the ability to shop and save from US catalogues and retailers. The company thrived under Eric Baird’s leadership experiencing 50-250% growth from 1997 – 2012. In July of 2012, on his 43rd birthday, Eric Baird sold his interest in AccessUSA to a private equity firm based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Since then, Eric has funneled his entrepreneurial drive into Baird Inc., and the Gail Baird Foundation.
Eric received a Bachelor of Science, Finance from the University of Arizona.
Tyler Oakley is a Certified Public Accountant with over six years of experience in public accounting providing tax and consulting services to clients in a wide variety of industries, including, but not limited to, real estate and construction. While serving as a tax advisor, his primary focus was serving closely held businesses and their owners. While serving in this capacity, he began working more closely with the Baird Inc. leadership team. That relationship developed into an offer to join the organization in 2020. Since then, his role has shifted towards accounting for the tax, financial reporting, capital budgeting, investment underwriting and corporate structure of the organizations investments specifically in the real estate, private equity, and secured lending spaces.
Tyler attended University of Central Florida and received a Bachelor of Science, Accounting and a Master of Science, Accounting. Tyler is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
With over 30 years of experience in real estate development, Gerry has had an executive leadership role in the design, construction, and operations of over 15 MSF of facilities throughout the United States, China, North Africa, and the Caribbean. His experience spans multiple asset types including mixed-use, residential, hospitality, office, retail, and research & development facilities. With fortune 500 clients including General Dynamics, CapitalOne and JetBlue Airways, he has delivered complex campus style developments as well as signature mixed-use projects in Bermuda, Miami Beach, Boca Raton, and Vail CO.
Gerry attended Lawrence Technological University and received Bachelor of Science, Architecture. Gerry is Certified Florida Residential Contractor and a Licensed Florida Real Estate Salesperson.
Caroline is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky. While pursuing her degrees, Caroline spent two years interning at a local tax firm where she completed various federal, state, and local tax returns for individuals and businesses in a variety of industries. Since graduating and relocating to Sarasota, she has been a staff accountant at Baird Inc. for the last year. She manages day to day bookkeeping and financial reporting of 15 different operating companies within the Baird Organization, including the Gail Baird Foundation. She is also responsible for various payroll tasks, human resources, and operations. In addition, Caroline also assists management with investment underwriting and deal analysis for the organization’s private equity and secured lending sector.
Caroline received a Bachelor of Science, Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance from the University of Kentucky.
Driven professional leader with ten years of experience in business operations, marketing, and staff management. Eduardo has served in a multitude of fund-raising efforts within the Sarasota community which span art, health, and animal philanthropic causes which he now utilizes while representing the Gail Baird Foundation. He brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the multifaceted enterprises at Baird Inc.
Eduardo received a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from the State College of Florida.