Full name: Wilfred Barry
Title: President
Company: SJB Group
Age: 54
Hometown: Baton Rouge
Why do you do what you do?
I was instilled with the entrepreneurial spirit by my father, Simmons J. Barry (hence the name SJB Group), ….he was in engineering, utility operations, and developed a natural gas distribution system and did it quite well. Trying new ventures has been a way of life and one that keeps it interesting.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
This will sound like soapbox journalism, but being acclaimed the Company of the Year by the Baton Rouge Business Report is my greatest professional honor.
What was your first job?
My first job out of college was working for International Paper Company at the Natchez, MS paper mill as a woodlands engineer setting up bulk wood receiving yards in Mississippi and Louisiana.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
The saying that sticks with me was my father telling me to voice the prayer when the wall became insurmountable “God, please give the wisdom to know when to give up”.
Who do you most admire in the local business community and why?
Stephen Moret for coming into the Baton Rouge Chamber and turning the organization around…he has done an incredible job in an unbelievable short time and has done it with class.
If you could have any job other than your own, what would it be?
To be an architect….the visual element of dealing with the human environment is very alluring…I like being a creator.
What is the greatest personal or professional obstacle you've overcome?
My brother and I faced bankruptcy in the early 90’s and managed to survive and take care of our creditors honorably.
If you started over, what would you do differently?
Consumer product development – the company Ideo routinely wins manufacturing design awards – I would have liked to be a team leader for product development for some of the premier manufacturers.
What is your prescription for life?
Contrary to my father’s adage, “Never give up.”
What book are you currently reading?
An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa by Rick Atkinson
If you could have dinner with any three living people, who would they be? (Authors? Leaders?)
One of the astronauts…I think the space thing is amazing; Michael Crichton…he’s always into what’s hot; and Billy Graham.
Who would play you in a movie?
Robert Duvall, but I don’t know that he would accept.
What do you do to unwind?
Read periodicals and newspapers.
What is the most expensive purchase you've made for yourself?
In the impulsive arena…I bought a formal five course dinner and wine for eight.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
Play golf with friends and take their dollar-dollar bets.
What's your theme song?
“Don’t worry…Be happy” by Bobby McFerrin; "Dances with Wolves" by John Barry (no relation) for movie instrumental.
What's your favorite spot in Baton Rouge?
Juban’s Restaurant…neat, versatile and excellent food.
How do you take your coffee/tea?
Black with one sugar.
What is your favorite movie?
Lonesome Dove
TV show?
Seinfeld
Band?
Garth Brooks
What is your favorite gadget?
The PDA (mine is BlackBerry)…the technology is incredible…what we were doing without it?
What is something that you can't live without?
Shelley, my wife…what was I doing without her?
If you could change one thing about Baton Rouge, what would it be?
Make it the best place for K-12 and higher education….that solves all problems.
What is your greatest hope for Baton Rouge?
That the City takes its place as a premier Southern capital
What is your greatest fear for Baton Rouge?
The same as for Louisiana – to seize the moment and not make the best of it.
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