Barney named SEA director at MSU
Minot resident Charles Barney is the new director of Minot State University’s Severson Entrepreneurship Academy. He began his duties Jan. 9.
The SEA offers students real-life knowledge and skills critical for understanding how to start, maintain and analyze start-up businesses. It was created in 2010 as a result of a milestone gift from Clint Severson, MSU alumnus and president and chief executive officer of Abaxis, Inc. and his wife, Conni Ahart.
"The Seversons’ generous gift has allowed us to place a special emphasis on helping students learn about entrepreneurship, including the Entrepreneurship Club, a speaker series and starting a ‘learning lab,’ where students will apply what they learn in their classes. I’m especially happy to welcome Chuck as our SEA director; he has abilities and experience to be an effective leader for our next generation of entrepreneurs," said JoAnn Linrud, dean of the College of Business.
Originally from Brockport, N.Y., Barney graduated with an undergraduate degree in instructional technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in instructional systems technology from Indiana University in Bloomington.
From 1982 to 1984, Barney worked for Arthur Andersen & Co. in Chicago designing and developing self-study and instructor-based training programs for the Audit Division of the Professional Education Division.
"Arthur Andersen afforded me a great deal of business experience," Barney said. "I had to learn what was being designed, as well as the business concepts and how they could be applied."
Barney relocated to St. Louis to work for Maritz Communications Company from 1984 to 1991. While at Maritz, he designed, developed, produced and implemented training programs for a variety of clients such as Citicorp, Northern Telecom and IBM. He primarily worked with IBM to develop training on sales techniques and products for dealers and account representatives.
In 1991, Barney and his wife, Leslie, moved to Minot, where he has owned and operated several businesses over the last 20 years.
In 2000, Barney was elected to the Minot City Council where he has served three terms. He has served as the chairman of the Public Works and Safety Committee, chairman of the Finance and Improvements Committee and council president for four years.
"Serving on city council gave me a whole new perspective on government, business and economic development. I have been very active with what the city could do to foster more business growth in Minot," Barney said
Barney has been active on the board of directors for the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Minot Convention & Visitors Bureau. He was also district chairman of the Northern Lights Council for Boy Scouts of America.
For questions, contact Barney at chuck.barney@minotstateu.edu or 858-3019.
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Published: 02/08/12 |