Barry Kent Fingerhut Honored as Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence
In an impressive recognition, Barry Kent Fingerhut has been honored as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence, as announced by The Inner Circle on September 29, 2025. This prestigious acknowledgment celebrates his extensive contributions to investment, education, and philanthropy over his robust career. Fingerhut, who has been the driving force as the Chief Executive Officer of Certification Partners since 2010, has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of vocational training and certification.
Certification Partners, under his leadership, boasts an impressive record of delivering more than two million courses and issuing around 300,000 IT certifications, catering to a wide spectrum of educational needs at various levels. This organization has become a cornerstone in the professional development and certification arena, providing the necessary credentials for success in the fast-evolving technology sector.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Fingerhut is deeply invested in vocational training and education. He serves as the chairman of Covenant Learning Solutions, a small business entity operating Job Corps Centers in Jacksonville, Florida, and Kittrell, North Carolina. These centers focus on providing at-risk youth aged 18-24 with essential education and career-ready skills, fulfilling contracts with the Department of Labor to enhance life skills and professional preparedness among participants.
With over three decades of experience in investment and education, Barry Kent Fingerhut has also held influential roles in the financial and venture capital sectors. He co-founded Geocapital Corp. in 1981, where he served as president until the company's sale in 2004, and subsequently co-founded Wheatley Partners in 1992, a venture capital firm specializing in innovative technologies and training services. His strategic vision in both fields has further solidified his reputation within the industry, earning him multiple board positions with various establishments, including YourTango.com and Carriage Services.
Fingerhut’s contributions extend beyond the corporate realm into civic engagement and philanthropy. Since 2021, he has been serving on the Board of Trustees for the Desert Botanical Garden and has been active on the executive board of philanthropy at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute since 2019. Moreover, he has been a member of the board for the Arizona Opera Company since 2017, indicating his commitment to cultural enrichment and community development.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Barry Kent Fingerhut is a prolific author, having written ten novels exploring themes of philosophy, history, and the human condition. His literary contributions include titles such as The Power of Verse (2024) and The Great Enlightenment (2024). Through his work, he reflects his deep-seated passion for storytelling and the exploration of complex ideas.
As he gazes toward the future, Fingerhut expresses that his aspirations are not rooted in financial gain, but rather in a desire to enact meaningful change. His unwavering dedication to education, social impact, and workforce development demonstrates a commitment to enhancing lives and widening access to opportunities. He attributes his success to a strong sense of self-reliance, a principle derived from personal family experiences, which has shaped his philosophy towards repairing the world through knowledge and empowerment.
Through his diverse and impactful contributions, Barry Kent Fingerhut exemplifies the role of a true leader, committed to fostering education and personal development while positively influencing society.