PLP 08 Profile: Bob Barnette

Name: Robert N. Barnette Jr.
Age: 56
Born: I was born and grew up in Chase City, Mecklenburg County
Current Digs: I currently live in Mechanicsville, Hanover County. I work at E. I. Dupont in Richmond, VA
Occupation: Safety Manager
Favorite part about the job: Determining the root cause of operating errors and behavior and solving safety, productivity and quality management system issues..
Your first job ever? My first job was a stock clerk/bagger in a grocery store.
Favorite book? Harnessing the Power of Knowledge, Goldsmith.
Favorite movie?  Denzel Washington "The Great Debaters"
Comfort food? Baby back ribs
What's in your car CD player right now? Hezekiah Walker, Faithful is our God
Next journey? Make a positive difference leading Virginia National Guard to achieve its mission vision and goals.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Williamsburg
First political memory? I was chosen to run for president of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Whom do you admire and why?  The person I admire is Tony Brown because of his PBS series Tony Brown's Journal, the longest-running of all PBS series. Tony is an out-of-the-box thinker and has many highly distinguished academic and professional accomplishments.
Best advice you ever got? The power of knowledge isn't about having it, it's about using it. As a safety professional I must use my knowledge of workplace safety to persuade management to take action.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Former Secretary of State Colin Powell. In my opinion Secretary Powell is one of the most ethical people, and I admire him. Making ethical decisions are not easy, especially when situations involve multiple points of view, conflicting objectives, incomplete knowledge or ambiguity.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I am a veteran of both Vietnam & Desert Storm.
Describe a perfect day. A perfect day is reading inspirational material such as the biographies of people who overcame great odds to succeed. If they can do it, I can to.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Write a book about my personal formula for success and happiness.