They were both members of the Middlebury College class of 1985. Three years after graduation, Reeve Byron Waud and Melissa Ann Wheeler married in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the First Church of Round Hill. The ceremony, held on August 20, 1988, was officiated by Dr. Olin Robinson, the college’s president—a personal touch that spoke to the depth of the couple’s connection to their alma mater.
The decades since have brought considerable change. The couple settled in the Chicago area, where Reeve built a career in private equity that would result in the founding of Waud Capital Partners and the creation of Acadia Healthcare. Now, as the couple approaches 38 years of marriage, their story is one of consistent growth rooted in shared values.
College Days and a Presidential Ceremony
At Middlebury, both Reeve and Melissa were part of a tight-knit campus community. Melissa had previously attended Miss Porter’s School, while Reeve would go on to earn his MBA at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. The decision to have Dr. Robinson officiate their wedding was a reflection of the meaningful ties they had formed during their time in Vermont. The the 1988 announcement in the New York Times captures this moment.
The Wheeler family was based in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Verbier, Switzerland. The Waud family called Lake Forest, Illinois home. The wedding united these two backgrounds in a ceremony that would prove to be the starting point for a long and productive partnership. Coverage appeared in the wedding announcement that ran in the Chicago Tribune.
Putting Down Roots in Chicago
After working at the private equity firm GTCR and in the venture capital group at Salomon Brothers, Reeve Waud launched Waud Capital Partners in 1993. Starting from Lake Forest with minimal resources, the firm has since grown into a nationally recognized middle-market investment platform headquartered in downtown Chicago.
With approximately $4.6 billion in assets under management and a team of close to 70, the firm has made its mark through disciplined investments in healthcare and software & technology. Its most prominent portfolio company, Acadia Healthcare, has completed a key merger that expanded its national footprint, becoming the foremost independent behavioral health provider in the country, operating upward of 250 facilities.
Philanthropy and Civic Engagement
Reeve Waud’s involvement in Chicago extends well beyond business. He is a member of the Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Finance Committee and sits on the board of the Northwestern Memorial Foundation. At the Art Institute of Chicago, he serves as a trustee and is active on both the Finance and Photography committees. These roles demonstrate a commitment to the community that has defined the Waud family’s life in Chicago. Connect with him at www.f6s.com/member/reeve-waud.
Comments are closed.