Dennis was born in California and attended the University of California at Los Angeles where he majored in Economics. He left UCLA in his junior year, impatient to begin a career. He first enlisted in the USMC to satisfy his country’s service requirement. Upon the end of his military service Dennis embarked on his business career, starting with IBM. Many years later, in 2006, Dennis relocated to Dallas, Texas when he took over as Chairman and CEO of a public company headquartered there.
GOVERNANCE FORENSICS: a new Caganco practice brief
The Board of Directors for a Private Enterprise, by Dennis J. Cagan.
A comprehensive inside look at creating and managing the boards of private companies of all types. What every entrepreneur, private company owner and CEO should know about boards.
Writings
The Board of Directors of a Private Enterprise (2017) is considered by many to be the most authoritative perspective available on private company boards and governance issues. In addition to his book, Dennis Cagan has written dozens of articles in numerous publications. A small sample of which are noted below.
Additional Content
Private companies – this is such a broad category! When looking at their origin, their growth process, and their hoped-for ‘end-game’, there are actually many varieties – just like flowers. There are many different looks, different sizes, different shapes, and certainly different smells.
You would think that Dennis Cagan has a lot of board meeting stories, seeing as he has served on 65 corporate boards – and you would be right. Here is one cut from his cover-story article so he could use it in this editor’s note.
Cover of the Directors&Boards Magazine Q2 2013 Issue containing the article “Firing a Director”.
A chapter in Mr. Cagan’s book, The Board of Directors for a Private Enterprise.
Forming a private company’s first fiduciary board: step-by-step
Cover of Directors&Boards Magazine Q2 2012 issue containing “Finding directors” article.
Article: ‘A primer: the ins and outs of board meetings for the small and private company.”
A Primer: the ins and outs of board meetings for the small and private company
Dennis Cagan was honored as an Outstanding Director for 2013 by the Dallas Business Journal and NACD.
Cover of the Directors&Boards Magazine Q4 2012 Issue containing “The ABCs of forming an Advisory Board” article.
Article: “Questions: what to ask a prospective board member, and which you are most likely to be asked by them.” Scheduled to be published in Directors&Boards Magazine in Q1 2014.