Exhibit 99(a)


                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with The Beard Company's (the "Company") Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, William M. Beard,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

        1.   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
             15(d)of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

        2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
             material respects, the financial condition and results of
             operations of the Company.


Date:  11-13-2002                            By: WILLIAM M. BEARD
                                                 William M. Beard
                                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                                 Chief Executive Officer