Although currently a Florida Resident, Barry spent most of his life in the Pacific Northwest.  Born in Washington, grew up in Oregon, graduated college from the University of Idaho and lived most of his life in the State of Oregon.

During and after graduating from college, Barry worked throughout the Western United States construction high voltage power lines and substations.  With the knowledge gained working in the field, he was moved into the office as an estimator and project manager.

In 1994, he started his own General Contracting Business and managed all aspects of the business for over four years.  The demands of running a small construction business began to compete with raising two young boys and in 1998, Barry went to work for a local excavation contractor, in the Portland, Oregon area, where he stayed until the end of 2013 when he entered the entrepreneurial world once again, but this time building something different – people!

Those 15 years provided many leadership opportunities.  Estimator, Project Manager, and Site Superintendent roles offered countless opportunities to communicate with owners, general contractors and of course, the workers he was leading. 

Barry much enjoyed being a part of building the infrastructure needed to support roads and building and nothing is sweeter in the construction world than finishing ahead of schedule and under budget.  Although that was not always the case, Barry built a solid reputation as someone who could bring multiple players together and get the job done, despite the many challenges that come in working in a wet and unpredictable environment.

Ownership changes in the organization changed the role and responsibilities for Barry in 2011 and although not clear at the time, something was missing.  Something needed to change.  Looking back, it was the loss of working with a team, serving as a leader, and the accomplishment of being part of something that was greater than what he could achieve on his own.

In July of 2011, Barry joined the John Maxwell Team as a founding member and began to realize just how important leadership is and how as John Maxwell put’s it; “Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership.”

Personally and Professional struggling to stay on track, Barry made the decision to start the transition from site development to people development and at the end of 2013, walked out of that construction office for the last time to focus his full-time attention on building his business, Building What Matters, as a coach, trainer, and speaker.

Life changes and new opportunities resulted in a cross-country relocation to southern Florida at the end of 2015.

Barry and his wife Cheryl, live in Singer Island, Florida.  They have a blended family with four sons, two of whom are married, and welcomed their first grandchild, Hudson, into our world in September of 2020.  Barry enjoys volunteering with Florida Fish and Wildlife, helping to protect our Sea Turtle population.  Each new day provides the opportunity to continue his mission of Building What Matters – People!