Consultant Biographies

Jonathan Barry, B.S.

Jonathan Barry is a farmer, businessman and former public official who earned his B.S. in English at the UW-Madison. His long standing commitment to public service includes having served in elected office for 15 years on the Dane County Board, in the Wisconsin State Legislature and as Dane County Executive (1981-1987.)

Mr. Barry has chaired two Governor's Commissions, one on state and local mandates and the other on school tax relief. He was a creator, and the organizer and first manager of the Dane County Farmers Market on the Square from 1973-1981.  He served as a Regent for the University of Wisconsin from 1990-2003, on the Wisconsin State Technical College System Board from 1988-2003 and on the Wisconsin TEACH Board from 1997-2002. He currently is active as part of the Greater Madison Collaboration Council, and on the UW System Higher Education Roundtable.

He has operated a family beef and produce farm in Primrose Township since 1970. He has been active in business development serving as: President of Tyrol Basin Ski Resort, past president of W.T. Rogers Company and Gammex RMI Company and as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of WTG Corporation, a venture capital, holding and real estate development company.

Currently, Barry also works part-time as the development director for Operation Fresh Start, a non-profit, working with at risk youth, “building people and houses.”