Paul Barry:  

Life Born and raised on Long Island. Worked for IBM to pay my way through school, ultimately getting my MBA from Adelphi University. Served for 7 years with the Air National Guard as a weekend warrior, including 9 months of active duty for electronics training. Got my pilots license at the same time. Joined American Airlines in 1969 and stayed with them for 32 years until 9/11 caused a major cave in of the Industry. During that time I held positions in Passenger Services, Financial Controls, and Corporate Purchasing. 15 of those years were spent buying most of the computer and communications systems for the Sabre Reservations systems, as well as a multitude of other IT requirements. Everything from mainframes to pc's and satellite comm systems. I got back to actual aviation for the remainder of my career,moving from NY to Tulsa Ok, and ending up as a Senior Commodity Manager for Aircraft Systems as well as support and facilities equipment. I retired from there in 2001. I met my lovely wife Karen, a Wantaugh girl in 1973, and we were married in 1975. She was a medical lab tech, and I was a NYC commuter! We lived in Bellrose until 1979, moving that year to Tulsa. We have had 4 girls, Jennifer, Michelle, Kimberly and Lauren, and a boy, Matthew. All are married, and we also have, at last report, 7 grand kids, Hobbies have been numerous, ...Expand for more