I lived a largely "workaholic" executive,
entrepreneurial, & consulting career mostly in high-tech, publishing, survey / research, advertising & promotion,
and entrepreneurial incubatorship. In 1991, I retired at age 47.
I now collect Classic Cars, scale model cars, Automobilia, antique cameras, old radios, Indian artifacts,
carved animals, antique carpentry tools, antique kitchen items, lamps, and other items. I love to landscape, work with
wood , and am a do-it-yourselfer. I work with software and build many websites & webrings. I work
on my two Classic MGBs and recently rebulit the engine on one of them. I enjoy music, reading, and writing.
I've also been active in church work, community, and my home owners association.
Liz and I travel a lot, both domestically & internationally.
entrepreneur exec consult Barnes auto car customer relation manager grand child
kid personality profile assess test interaction communication personal develop self improve business opportunity health home
work job 1950 Ford 1968 Mustang 1978 MG MGB
Barry on a Vail, Colorado Mountaintop
Click to enlarge
Low-Stress Retirement!
A Sudden Career Ending: My career was highly stressful: I worked long hours and started, co-founded,
or helped launch 16 companies. Suddenly, without warning, in May of 1991, I was forced to retire by a debilitating medical
condition, which is incurable, yet treatable by a combination of medications and dramatically reducing and controlling
stress.
Truly Unemployable! While I can no longer hold a job or run a business, I'm able to occasionally work
for very short periods with very short workdays (compared to my previous average day of 12 to 16 hours per day for
six and one-half days a week). Whatever I do - whether to accomplish something or for recreation - it has to be in
non-threatening, non-stressful activities... and I must discipline myself to stop when I'm feeling the least bit pushed.
Obviously, this leaves me neither employable nor able to run a business
- quite a comedown for a former executive and entrepreneur who loved starting and growing companies.
Life Is Full of Change: This was an incredibly difficult change for an achievement-oriented workaholic!
In the Long Run, Things Work Out: Looking back, however, I'm so fortunate for things to have worked out the
way they did - I was missing out on my own life! I spent so much time working, I had very little time to live.
Since 1991, I've traveled a lot with Liz, been able to support her in her career, developed lots of interests and hobbies,
spent far more time with my kids, and have time for my grandkids.
The Secret for Me Was: Do Something!
How Does One Survive With Nothing To Do? After
the retirement, I almost went crazy! However, resourcefulness coupled with necessity solved the issue. I wasn't
comfortable with continuing to live in a huge, expensive home, so we bought an acreage with a tiny, unfinished cottage on
it and I began a project that could be worked on in a manner that fit with the "crippled" style of work available to me.
Between September of 1992 and March of 1994, with the help of two friends,
I doubled the size of the cottage, wired it for electricity, plumbed it, built two bathrooms, added two bedrooms and a den,
expanded the master bedroom, added a front porch, decorated in Victorian Cottage style, carpeted it, put in a nice kitchen,
finished the barn, built out-buildings, and numerous other improvements. Additionally, I added an off-grid, totally-independent
electrical system that worked off the wind and the sun to supply 100% of our power needs.
Recent Landscaping Activities:
After living in the cottage for over five years, we moved in 1999 in order to get closer to town and other activities.
Much of my spare time since 2002 has been spent in landscaping, home-related, and auto projects. I built
three stairstepped ponds on a hillside, each one with a waterfall to the next lower. A pump in the bottom one takes
water in underground pipes to a large filtration system about 50' up the hill, then it goes to a waterfall, which leads to
a gently downflowing winding "mountain stream" with whitewater breaks about every four feet; this feeds to the top pond, then
successively to the other two via the water falls. An arched bridge goes over the largest pond onto the hillside, where
a winding path leads to a newly landscaped area towards where an outdoor screened eating room will be built later.
A Woodworking Shop: Most recently, I created a woodworking
shop with a table saw, bandsaw, lathe, bench grinder, anvils, drill press, router, various electric hand tools, and
many other tools and storage areas.
Reno Townhouse Projects: Recent projects have included
building an oversized, 3' x 8' desk top, a new bookshelf, a headboard for our master bedroom, a new mantle for the fireplace,
wall display cases for our collection of antique photographs, floor to ceiling steel shelving along over 48 lineal feet of
garage wall, turning one of our walk-in closets into a storage and work-station area, and numerous others. Projects
planned for the future include some display cases for my diecast metal scale model cars and planter boxes for our patio.
Planned Grass Valley Home Projects: Other long-term
projects planned for our Grass Valley home include building a woodworking shop, adding a carport for expanded parking, building
a porte cochere in front of the existing garage, and adding a room. Numerous additional landscaping and decking projects
are planned, as well.
Barry with their Chrysler
Click Picture to Enlarge
I Built a Home after Retiring in 1991:
Faced with major lifestyle changes after retiring at age 47 - and having my income drop by a 10X+ factor - we reduced
our overhead in 1993, by getting rid of our expensive home and buying an acreage with a panoramic view of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains in the east and north, a beautiful view of the Sacramento Valley / Sutter Buttes / Coastal Mountains in the west,
and some lovely tall hills to the south. The property had a small, partially-finished cottage "shell" on it. From
the outside, it looked like a finished vacation retreat... but on the inside it was studs and bare sub-flooring, with little
else. With two friends, Steve Collom and Rick Waller, we doubled the size of the cottage between December '93 and
March '94, We finished the interior, carpeted it, added plumbing, hot water, a Victorian bathroom with clawfoot
tub and water closet, added electricity and beautiful fixtures, installed lovely Victorian-style wall-coverings, built
a porch, and built some outbuildings.
We Were Completely Energy Independent:
Additionally, I designed, engineered, and built an off-grid, independent energy system. This made use
of 22 photovoltaic panels which converted sunlight to electricity plus a larger wind generator that took advantage of the
strong nightly breezes on the high hilltop we lived on. With this system, we were totally self-sufficient, energy-wise...
not even hooked up to the electric utility.
Barry in a consulting program in the 1980's
A Career as a Consultant, Executive, and
Entrepreneur:
Consultant to Silicon Valley & Multi-National Executives: From 1981-91, I
operated Barry Barnes & Company, later incorporated as Leadership Growth,
Inc.which consulted to board members, CEO's, officers, & senior executives of about 45 fast-growth Silicon
Valley firms and around a dozen huge multi-national companies.
Services included:
Corporate mission, vision, strategies & tactics
Rapid growth strategies development
Executive Sounding Board Counsel
Executive team-building
Conflict resolution
Inter-functional issues resolution
Optimization of the Product development process .
Clients included: AT&T LongLines, DataQuest, DuPont, all the computer-related divisions of Hewlett-Packard, four
divisions of Fujitsu, General Motors of Canada, Kraft Foods, National Semiconductor, the Republic of China's Information Institute,
Ross Systems, Rubbermaid, Sybase, Sytec (later part of Hughes), Ungermann-Bass (subsidiary of Compaq), and many others.
Consultant to High-Tech & Banking Sales Executives:The
Barnes & Senne Group, co-founded with Jeff Senne (1984-1987 and operated partially concurrently with the
above), consulted to executive VP's, regional VP's, sales managers, and senior sales representatives in Sales Management and
Consultive Selling to such clients as: ASK, Consilium Inc., Crocker National Bank, Commerce Center Bank, 110 districts
of Wells-Fargo Bank, and others.
Entrepreneurial Incubator Activities: Early in this period, I
helped found several firms in an "incubator" model. These activities included: Co-founding & being
a board member of Distinctive Solutions Corporation, which worked with Maryland National Bank
to develop & launch an assets management system nationwide; and being a partner in both Meisman-Moore-Barnes
Ventures and Pleaides Associates, which helped launch energy co-generation programs,
windpower technology porting to Asia, and practical computer-based ideographic language processing.
Liz at a 1987 off-site
A break-out group
Trusting team members on the belay line at 100' up
Expanding teamwork
Partner Jeff Senne
Barry introducing an exercise
Blindfolded trust
A High Tech Executive in Silicon Valley: Earlier,
I was Chief Marketing & Sales Executive of SD&G, Inc., a Silicon Valley firm supplying financial,
process manufacturing, & order management software to large multi-national companies. Clients included ARGOSystems, Baker International, Dreyers Grand Ice Cream, Finnigan,
Monolithic Memories, Roundtable Pizza, Seagate Technologies, Shell Oil of the U.K., The Sierra Club, SmithKline Pharmaceuticals,
and many others. From 1979-81, I launched seven major products and grew revenues 400%.
Entrepreneurial Activities in Texas: I founded
several firms, often concurrently: I was owner of MediaMessage Montage, an advertising agency
representing Tanya Tucker, Seals & Crofts, Tom Jones, and several high-tech firms & distributors in the Southwest;
owner of Barry Barnes Services,providing survey / research services
and contracted software development; President of EduSystems Inc., publisher of EduSystems
Magazine, circulation of 30,000; co-founder of OutFront Publishing Company, with
subscribers in 47 states; President of ISS, Inc., a survey / research and software analysis
& development firm; Vice-President of Intran Corporation, a testing & survey/research
firm with customers in all 50 states; Executive Staff, Regional Manager and launch team member of NCS Inc.,
pioneer in optical scanning which grew to $400,000,000; and responsible for business computer sales in West Texas for
Hewlett-Packard, producing 347% of quota.
Computer Center Management in Louisiana
& Maryland: In the late 60's, I directed a large computer center for Montgomery
County Public Schools (15,000-employees / 128,000-students) in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC.
Prior to that, I directed the computer center of the Northwest Louisiana Supplementary Educational Services Center,
serving 150,000 students in 12 school districts.
On board a plane starting a vacation
Click Picture to Enlarge
Early Work in Public School System Administration: My
first full-time work was with Bossier Parish Public Schools (18,000 students), where I started
as Pre-School Director and Headstart Direct of the first two voluntarily racially-integrated programs in the South, achieving
problem-free results. I went on to become Director of Research & Evaluation. While in that position, I wrote
several proposals which were funded, starting regional programs in: Special education; demonstration schools; educational
television; curriculum development; administrative data processing; computer assisted instruction; and educational media centers.
Preparation in Psychological Counseling: I majored
in psychology & sociology, working near full-time for the ShreveportChild Guidance Clinic,
which was merged into the Shreveport Regional Mental Health Center. My first work with the
public school system also briefly included work as a psychological counselor.
An Entrepreneurial Bent in College: I paid
my way by part-time jobs (selling men's suits at Penney's, then Sears
and by being a psychological counselor). Concurrently, in 1964 I started my own custom furniture and sound column business,
Barry Barnes Custom Furniture, designing and building living room and bedroom furniture and sound
systems for churches, night clubs, and other "auditoriums." This business allowed me to support my family, pay for tuition
at a very expensive college, buy a home, and purchase a new car. I've always been entrepreneurially oriented.
Education: My father was in the military,
so we moved a lot: Kindergarten in San Marcos, TX; the 1st & 2nd grades in Seguin, TX; the 3rd
at three schools in Randolph, Denison, and Southmayd, TX; the 4th through 6th at Denison, TX; the 7th at Seguin, TX; the 8th
in the Philippine Islands; the 9th & 10th outside Topeka, KS; and finishing high school in Bossier City, LA. I started
college at Oklahoma State University on a physics scholarship, transferring to Centenary College and changing
my major to psychology.
1950 Ford Sunliner
50's Jag
My Interests & Avocations:
A Strong Interest in Automobiles: I've always loved cars... and I ).
have a large collection of scale model cars from 1903 through the 50's. I also buy & sell Classic Cars from the
50's through the 70's (mostly 1950 Fords, 60's Mustangs, and 60's/70's MGB's).
My 1950 Customized Ford
My Favorite Automobile: I own
a beautiful customized 1950 Ford with "frenched" (recessed) headlights and taillights, shaved sides, doors, hood and trunk
(handles, ornamentation & chrome removed), electric door openers, beautiful custom interior, and a beautiful metallic
maroon and charcoal paint job.
Interior of my 1950 Ford
See My Classic Cars I Own and Have for Sale: I've devoted a whole
page to my interest in cars and to automobiles I own or have for sale. Just click the following link:
We're Active in a British Car Club: In 2005, we joined the Reno
MG - All British Car Club and have really enjoyed it. We have monthly car meets & picnics, attend car shows, an
annual all-day Progressive Meal, a "white elephant" Christmas exchange, periodic special events and day outings, and lots
of fun. To learn more, just click the following link:
Domestic & International Travel: Liz and I own about 35 weeks of "fractional
ownership" in many resorts (often mistakenly called "timeshare," which, though in some ways similar, is altogether different).
In the past several years, we've traveled to such locations as: Cabo San Lucas, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Guanajuato,
the Mayan ruins, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel Allende, Xilitla and other places in Mexico; Grand Caymon; Santorini
then Athens and the Peloponesses in Greece; all over England as well as parts of Scotland; Oahu and the Big Island in Hawai'i;
many times to Lake Tahoe; Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Southern California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma,
Wyoming, Tennessee, Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, and other U.S. states; Vancouver and Victoria Island in Canada; and
many other destinations.
We've devoted several pages to our vacations and travel. Just click the following link:
Construction & Woodworking: I've
already mentioned the cottage and outbuildings I built in '93 - 96. Starting with my first home in 1965, I liked to
buy a home that had low "curb appeal" but was in a nice neighborhood and had potential; I'd then remodel the kitchen
and baths, add a room or two, and sell it a couple years later for a 50% or more profit. When we sold the cottage in
1999, I didn't do much to our new place, but once I got my momentum last year, I've made lots of improvements and have many
more underway and planned. I bult a new deck and have lots more decking planned. I'm finalizing a woodworking
shop, as well, so that I can make furniture, do cabinent work, and make yard art (such as bird houses and yard furniture).
1932 Philco Multi-Band
Click Picture to Enlarge
Old Radios: When I was a boy, I
was fascinated with old radios. One summer, I woked for my older cousin, who owned a radio/TV repair shop. I had
a basic understanding of electronics and an intuitive sense for them... I was able to mix them without fully knowing what
I was doing. To this day, I love old radios: I have a 1932 floor-model Philco multi-band, a 1935 Silvertone table-model,
and some Zenith & Philco table-models from the 40's and early 50's; all but one are in working order.
1935 Silvertone
Click Pictures to Enlarge
Early 1900's - 50's
From the 30's - 50's
Antique Cameras: My parents gave
me their 1939 Kodak when I was a teenager. I spent countless hours in the Base Photo Shops (I grew up an Air Force dependent)
developing film and printing enlargements. I still have that camera. Additionally, I've collected numerous others,
ranging from 1895 to the 1950's - including some very old Kodak Brownies, lots of bellows models of all sizes from the teens
through the early 40's, several Argus & Agfa's from the 30's - 50's, and numerous SLR's from the 50's - 70's. Though
they take constant meticulous dusting, I love these old cameras.
Sunset at Galveston
Chama Mountains, New Mexico
Click to Enlarge
Art & Photography: I have
painted about 200 landscapes and sunsets, mostly given to family and friends (but some were sold back in the 70's).
I did the illustrations for many of my own advertisements and publications as well as illustrating a soccer book by Kyle Rote,
Jr. I have loved photography since I was 14; it's especially fun now with the instant feedback and editing capabilities
of digital cameras.
Trees in snow
Click to Enlarge
Writing:
I had a book published, A Success Plan for Software / Systems Implementation, addressed to mid- to larger-sized businesses
as well as two reference manuals on project and program management in the high-tech industry.
Additionally, I've written about 1000 pages of poetry,
have about 250 pages done on a novel, Life's Little Ups & Downs, and am well started on The HoloSystemal
Balancing System (a self-discovery program for achieving productivity and balance in life, regardless of the extenuating
circumstances we all have).
Reading: I have always been a prolific reader, consuming about two to 10 books per week.
My biggest interests are: Mysteries, having read the complete works of many of the more prolific authors; anthropology,
archeology & history; religion, theology & spirituality (they are three VERY different subjects); nature; construction,
woodworking & metalworking; and a host of other subjects. I particularly enjoy John Steinbeck - I did a research
paper on him in college and have re-read his entire works many times.
Music: I have eclectic tastes, ranging from Oldies, to classical, classical rock &
roll, Celtic, international music, as well as many contemporary artists, particularly in the genre known as Alternative.
Although I'm not a very accomplished singer, I greatly enjoyed singing in our church's contemporary band, ReGenesis.
I have an immense library of CD's, about 1000 33-1/3 records, about 200 50's & 60's 45 rpm records, and a few old 78's
from the 30's & 40's. We have two large "carousel" CD players which hold hundreds of CD's so that we can listen
for days at a time, if we were to wish.
Church & Volunteer Work: With my present church (since 1989) I have
done the following: Chair of Vision & Strategies Committee; Chair of the Administrative Council; Dinner Dean of
Logos; Co-Chair of 4-day Family Camp; Charter member; and, presently, serve on the Family Life Committee. At my previous
church, I served as: Community Outreach Committee member; Family Camp Program Director; Summer Camp Counselor; and co-founder
of a mid-week, multi-generational program. I am a former board member of Minds in Recovery, Inc. (a non-profit corporation
for services to the severely & persistently mentally ill).
See a variety of Classic Car and modeling WebRings & websites at the
Entry Portal - just click on the picture or the underlined
link above.
Click to go to Website
Here are some truly
great scale models - I have almost 200 of these in my own collection (from the small 1:43 to the authentic 1:32 to the very
detailed 1:24 & the huge 1:18 size)... and now I'm offering them to others.
NOTE:
If any pictures fail to display, place your pointer over the "picture placeholder," right-click, go down
the drop-down menu to "Show Picture," then left-click that item; the picture should display. If not, click the Refresh
button on the toolbar at top.
![w-bb-cars-04jag-sdvw.jpg](/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://home.mindspring.com/~barrybarnes/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/w-bb-cars-04jag-sdvw.jpg&target=tlx_new&title=Jaguar "S" Type)
