Barry Goldstein, a resident at the new expansion building at Glenaire, is also a sitting member of the newly formed Kintura board. Barry is happy to represent all of the residents in the Kintura family. Being one of two residents in the Kintura communities that sit on the board, Barry knows what to ask first.
“Do we need to negotiate royalties for this article?” Barry joked, “Fortunately, I have the time to be a part of the board, and with my experience with company mergers and governance, I am happy to be a part of the process and offer feedback.”
Barry attended the Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1965 with a degree in Economics with a major in Accounting. He got a job in New York City with an accounting firm, and while working full time, he was also a full-time night student at NYU Stern School of Business, in the MBA program.
Barry enjoyed his time working and living in New York City. He was single, finding excellent restaurants and experiencing a full life. But after four years, he began thinking about leaving New York City.
“One night I was working on a securities registration, taking a company public, and when we left the office at 2a.m., my senior partner, Lou, who had a wife and kids at home, still had another hour and a half train ride, and I was only minutes away.”
Although Barry was only blocks away that same night, he arrived home to find his apartment had been broken into and realized that life could be richer in more ways. Fortunately, he owned no items worth stealing.
He soon took a harder look at the job openings offered in The New York Times. Barry found an ad for an accounting firm, Alexander Grant (now Grant Thornton) in Miami, Florida. Not long after answering the ad, they offered Barry a job, and he moved to Florida.
Barry advanced through various positions at the firm in Florida, and he became a partner in 1976.
Barry was a partner at Grant Thornton from 1976 through 1987.
In late 1986, Barry obtained a new client.
“It was this little startup called Office Depot. They had opened their first store in 1986 in Florida, where I was living. After six months as a client, they offered me a job as Chief Financial Officer; just this little start up with three stores,” Barry said.
He took a risk leaving his partnership with an international CPA firm to join this startup company.
Office Depot’s headquarters was in a small strip-center in Boca Raton, Fla., and in the first few weeks of being a part of Office Depot, his view was quite different from the view of the bay he had in his office in Miami. “As it turned out, it all worked out well,” Barry said.
Within five years, they had operated 238 stores and distribution centers.
“Probably the first year I was there, I spent 60 percent of my time trying to convince vendors we were a legitimate company and to extend us credit lines,” Barry said, “I had little experience negotiating with vendors, and it worked out after a lot of work on ‘the ground’ and convincing vendors we would become a major customer to sell their products. It was not easy, but we got it done.”
During his time in Florida, Barry met his wife, Nancy.
“My wife’s older sister was married to my older brother. Nancy ended up going to live in Florida, after her first marriage, where her parents were living at the time. Ironically, our paths crossed due to our family connection,” Barry recalled.
They were married 51 years. Nancy passed away in July 2021. With two daughters and three grandchildren, there are now great-grandchildren in the family.
Barry was able to retire in 2000 at age 57 and then used his experience to sit on seven corporate boards for 15 years. Barry has the mindfulness and awareness of a 50-year-old.
Barry and Nancy made their move north in 2007 when their older daughter made her way to North Carolina. “My wife informed me we were moving to be near the grandchildren,” Barry said. “I was at the point where I was already retired, and I was sitting on several different boards, but I was able to say, ‘Yes, dear’.”
A few years later, their other daughter came to North Carolina, as well.
Barry came to Glenaire in unique circumstances. After a recommendation from a friend, and Glenaire resident, who encouraged Barry to join the wait list, there was one condition made by his friend: “Barry, you have to be a part of the finance committee.” Barry was also one of the first residents to move into the expansion building.
In 2022, Barry decided that he needed to downsize, and the best step would be to move to Glenaire to maintain his independence along with the guarantee of healthcare at the time it would be needed. It was comforting to Barry knowing he could maintain his independence and active lifestyle, while having a guarantee of long-term healthcare.
“As I have witnessed, so many of the residents here are comforted knowing their children will not bear the burden of long-term care,” Barry said. “It was important for me to know my children would not have to take care of me.”
Barry agreed to meet with Emily, the Director of Sales and Marketing, to take a tour of the Glenaire property.
“It was not a hard decision to make my deposit to be a part of this community,” Barry said.
Barry moved into his apartment in October 2023. He feels very thankful for being one of the first residents to move into the expansion. Barry met neighbors not long after moving in and is known around the campus as being an original pioneer of the new building and has been able to connect with many of his peers. He plays golf, spends time with neighbors, and invites new residents to a Friday evening event that was started by fellow resident, Pattigene.
“We call it Friday with Friends, where the new residents get to meet their neighbors, socialize and just get a sense of life here at Glenaire,” Barry said. “We love it.”
“Moving into Glenaire is one of the smartest things I have ever done,” Barry said.
One of the highlights for Barry of the community is the amazing staff.
And the staff enjoy Barry’s company and are amazed at how humble he is.
“I get recognized; they call me by name and notice when I haven’t been down to eat for a few days,” Barry said, “It’s just amazing how much our staff cares about the residents, and that is rare.”
“I have been very fortunate, and I have been willing to take risks,” Barry said. “It has made my life full of various opportunities. Networking and relationships have been the key to those opportunities. My family, overall, has been the glue that made my life as full as it is today.”
To learn more about the wonderful amenities, residences, and an opportunity to meet wonderful people like Barry Goldstein, please reach out to our Marketing and Sales Department, and we would be honored to show you what your next adventure looks like when you come live with us at Glenaire.
-Janel Boyd, Content Creation Specialist