Jim Barna ’84 and Tony Barna ’86

Posted by NHSAF 2

 

 

January 2018’s

VIKING SPOTLIGHT

James and Anthony Barna, two brothers from the graduating classes of 1984 and 1986

 

Tony (left) and Jim Barna

 

Both brothers are engineers developing many of the road infrastructures in central Ohio and around the state.

 

Jim Barna / NHS Class of 1984

Jim Barna, NHS Class of 84

  1. Who was your favorite teacher, class, friend and hang out?
  • Teacher – Ms. Jones, English
  • My favorite class – 11th Grade English
  • Friends – Tony Barna, Thom Eckmayer (Noorkah), Larry Butte, Sandy Milsap, Stephanie Barthlow, Kelly Miller, and many others.
  • Hangouts – Donatos Tamarack Blvd., Northland Mall, Northland Pool, Alum Creek, Continent
  1. Tell about your most memorable moment at Northland High School.

      I only attended Northland for 2 years. Meeting life-long friends were the most memorable.

  1. What was your family expectation of you?

     My family expected manners, good grades, and to work hard for what you want in life.

  1. Both of you are engineers. How did you both end up choosing the same career path? And, what do you enjoy about your work?

      I loved math and science. Engineer fit my likes. I love that I make decisions that impact people’s lives daily in a positive way.

  1. Infrastructure is the bloodline of our economy.  Tell us about some of the projects you have developed and worked on in Ohio?
  • 315 / 23 / 270 North Outerbelt
  • Gemini Parkway Extension
  • Lancaster Bypass
  • I-71 Widening to Cleveland
  • 161 Widening to Granville
  • I-270 Outerbelt Widening
  • Freeway upgrades around Easton Town Center
  • Sawmill Parkway Extension

 

Tony Barna / NHS Class of 86

 

  1. Who was your favorite teacher, class, friend and hang out?
  • Teacher – Mr. Scherer, Chemistry
  • My favorite class – Chemistry 11th Grade (all-star cast of friends)
  • Friends – Jim Barna, Thom Eckmayer (Noorkah), Scott Sulser, Jeff Stephenson, Jon Losacco, Jennifer Sahr, Beth DeCarlo, Kris Buchanan, Steve Anderson, Scott Rombauer, Denise Hilleary, Michelle Collins, the Douridas family, and many others.
  • Hangouts – The “Douridas” house, Northland Mall, Continent, Northland Pool, Alum Creek, and many others.
  1. Tell about your most memorable moment at Northland High School.

I would say time spent with good friends. I moved from Alabama the summer just before my freshman year so it was great to meet friends and lessen the anxiety        of going to school without friends.

February 7, 1984, I left school early to go attend a Van Halen concert in Dayton. This was the greatest moment at the time. I remember Mr. Dodds shouting “Van         Halen” and pumping his fists as my friends and I were leaving school (I don’t think we got approval to leave early that day). Ultimately, graduating was nice.

A sad moment in my life is when Jon Losacco passed away. Jon was a great school friend. We didn’t really hang out outside of school but we shared many classes         and had a great friendship. I miss him to this day. Strange how the loss of a good friend created a new life-long friendship with Thom Eckmayer (Noorkah). Thom       and I met a few times before John’s passing. John would drive us back and forth. I always wondered who this cat was. While mourning John’s passing, Thom and       I hit it off and to this day are best friends, 33 years later.

  1. What was your family expectation of you?

My family expected me to run off and become a rock star. I am sure they were worried for a period of time. All jokes aside, after graduation I took a year off from         school and focused on building my work ethic that drives me to this day. I still play guitar as a passion. My family instilled values, a strong work ethic, and                     knowing you had to work hard in life to get what you wanted.

  1. Both of you are engineers. How did you both end up choosing the same career path? And, what do you enjoy about your work?

Jim and I always tinkered with things as we grew up. We either worked with Lego’s, Tinker Toys, Erector sets, built models, worked on motorcycles and cars. Jim       was more of a theoretical guy wanting to know how things work and I was more of a practical guy who wanted to build things. Ultimately, Jim went into                         engineering to design and I went into engineering to build. We always talked about starting our own business but never came to fruition.  I love what I do, the               competitiveness, being around great people, and to see progress as you build things.

  1. Infrastructure is the bloodline of our economy. Tell us about some of the projects you have developed and worked on in Ohio?
  • I spent 7 years on the Ohio Turnpike building the third lane widenings in the 90’s.
  • Also major interstate projects in the Cleveland, Youngstown, and Akron markets.
  • Major 270 rehabilitation job in Worthington from 1999 to 2001.
  • I-71 third lane addition in Wayne County between Columbus and Cleveland.
  • Built the original Sancus Blvd. from Lazelle to Polaris Parkway in 1992.
  • Elyria, Ohio Falls and Walk Paths.
  • Various projects in small town America across the great State of Ohio.
  • Two major road projects at Honda America in Marysville.
  • Cleveland Hopkins International Airport – Major Runway Rehabilitation.
  • Port Columbus (John Glenn) International Airport – (3) Major Runway Rehabilitations and the main entrance on International Drive as you know it today.
  • Rickenbacker International Airport – Various Runway and Concourse Rehabilitation projects.
  • Scioto Downs “Racino” Parking Lot (Casino).
  • Columbus Crew/Ohio State Fairgrounds Parking Lot.
  • Multiple Ohio Interstates, State Routes, Municipal and County Roadways for over 26 years.