Barry Bernhard’s primary focus as a TEC Chair is to help members grow to become exemplary leaders. He shares with his group a passion for leadership development and more than 35 years of experience in government and business as an executive and management consultant. Specializing in strategic business planning and management, Barry’s contribution to TEC members includes facilitation, training, research, mentoring and advising.
Offering a strong understanding of diverse business environments, Barry has worked with corporations, not-for-profit organizations, private individual clients, industry associations, institutions and government organizations (including aboriginal organizations) in Western Canada and nationally.
In addition to his role as TEC Chair, Barry has served Rice Financial and Rice Capital Management as a key consultant since 1992. In 1999, he joined the firm as Executive Vice President to focus on strategic corporate/business development initiatives, organizational development, and strategic acquisitions.
During his career, Barry has excelled in human resources management and executive positions with major national companies. He is also a former deputy minister for business development and tourism in Manitoba, and has served the Manitoba government in other areas. His roles included positions in the Treasury Board, northern development, federal and provincial joint research, planning, programming, negotiating and implementing long term cost-shared initiatives in economic and social development.
Barry’s extensive service to the volunteer sector in Manitoba and Canada encompass leadership roles in the Little Britain United Church, Chamber of Commerce, Rainbow Society, United Way and the Heart & Stroke Foundation. He has also been a board member of Child Find Canada and past President of Child Find Manitoba. In 2006, Barry was recognized by Child Find Manitoba for his commitment to protecting Canada’s children. Barry currently serves in an advisory capacity to Child Find Manitoba and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
Barry graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BSBA and attended graduate studies at the University of Chicago School of Business, University of Winnipeg and University of Phoenix. He and his wife, Sandy, enjoy family life with their three daughters, their partners, and grandchildren. They also enjoy the outdoors and their homes in the Manitoba countryside and southern Arizona desert valley.
