Steve Richards

Steve Richards is a business growth expert known for systemically driving Private Equity backed portfolio companies to achieve swift transformations by driving operational efficiencies, repurposing funds for investment in complementary products, traditional and digital sales channels, and partnerships to affect record revenues, margins, and profitability gains.

Since 2021, Richards has served as CEO for Becklar. Becklar is North America’s premier SMART critical event monitoring company, offering the most comprehensive suite of monitoring services available under one roof—protecting People, Property, and Workers. Becklar’s services include Video Remote Guarding, Fire and Security Monitoring, Personal Health & Safety (PERS), Workforce Safety, and IoT Connected Device Monitoring, including crash detection, environmental monitoring, gate/access control, and more.

Through their SMART Protection Platform, Becklar utilizes the most advanced monitoring technology, supported by seven redundant, state-of-the-art monitoring centers across the U.S. and Canada. Becklar’s exclusive, patented AI-driven engagement platform—combined with highly skilled, compassionate operators—ensures the fastest emergency response times in the industry, delivering the best possible outcomes in the moments that matter most.

Becklar is a portfolio company of Graham Partners, Inc. (“Graham Partners”), a private investment firm focused on investing in technology-driven companies that are spurring innovation and growth in advanced manufacturing.

From 2019-2021, Richards served as an Operating Partner for Riverside Company, chairing portfolio company Boards with responsibilities for driving value creation in each. He partnered closely with management as a “hands-on” coaching resource to provide strategic oversight and guidance for enhancing results by establishing heightened cultures of accountability. He coordinated actions with stakeholders during investment hold periods, guiding the CEO to enhance management teams, execute thesis initiatives, and grow EBITDA/value organically and via acquisition add-ons.

Before 2019, he served for 17 years as a CEO, transforming Middle-Market Private Equity portfolio companies into recurring services firms spanning Media, Communications, Technology, and Business Services providers. He drove transformational growth for enhanced profits, culminating in successful company sales for related investors. In each assignment, he led gains in new revenues, dramatic increases in efficiency, and heightened cross-process effectiveness enhancements.

Richards completed executive programs at Penn State, Duke, and the University of Virginia. He is a recipient of the Penn State Fellow Award- the most prestigious honor of Penn State’s Alumni Association.

Richards is a lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni organization and a member of the U.S. Navy, UDT-SEAL Special Warfare Association.