Name: Barry Farah
Twitter: @barryfarah
Facebook: @BarrySFarah
Instagram: @barryfarah
Website: www.championairaz.com ; www.barryfarah.com
Age: 59
Title: Chairman and CEO, Cascade Financial & Champion Air.
Married/Single: Married
Kids: Two adult kids
City you live in: Scottsdale
A typical day in my life includes… Overseeing strategy, finance, and culture for Champion Air, having a blast working with my son in that business. I still run Cascade Financial. I just started a podcast, which reaches out to Gen Zers and Millennials on the foundations of freedom principles. I always get a hike or workout squeezed in and once a week or so enjoy chasing golf balls around pretty grass that someone else cuts.
I was born… in Pasadena, California. I’m the middle child of three. I grew up in an economically modest home, but we were rich in love and faith.
My favorite thing about Arizona… is the dramatic landscape. I love to hike. My favorite was last Summer where I hiked the Grand Canyon from the North to South Rim in one day. Incredible to see nine geological formations.
I’m listening to… business and political news from a variety of sources.
My family… is my first priority. Even when I was traveling extensively as CEO for 400 employees, I always attempted to only be gone two nights a week.
If I could have dinner with anyone… in addition to my wife, son or daughter, and reach back in time, it would be one of the Old Testament Kings, Jesus, the Apostle Peter, William Wilberforce, John Adams or James Madison.
One thing I cannot live without… Jesus Christ. And, tacos.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… a fighter pilot.
I’m inspired by… William Wilberforce who under intense pressure and unlikely odds changed the world to condemn slavery.
The one person who motivates me… I really don’t think I look to other people. I’ve always been driven. Without any encouragement from my parents, I had a paper route, mowed lawns, and sold Christmas cards door-to-door at the age of 10. Back then the neighborhood was safe and my parents were not concerned. I was free to roam.
The perfect day… would be flying my Conquest II to Vail enjoying a day of snowboarding and hanging out at the hot tub with some fun conversation.
My first job was… a paper route at ten years old. I’ve worked ever since. And, enjoyed it. I play hard, too.
My favorite escape… has to be paddleboarding with the whales a mile from shore in Maui.
My life… has been rich in the things that matter the most. I got married at 21 – and I’m still married to the cutie pie. My BFF’s are my two adult kids. I love spending one-on-one time with my son and my daughter. My hope for others is that they can share the joy, friendship, security, and love that comes from a close-knit family.
I’m currently working on… reaching out to Gen Z’ers and Millennials with my new podcast. I’m hoping Gen Zers will be known as Gen Liberty – the generation that recaptured the logic, history and power of freedom rights. We’ll see how it goes.
Always… think about the success of the customer first. In the fast pace of growing a business, there are many times of ambiguity. In the midst of the business fog, think about what makes the customer successful, deliver that, and everything else will fall into place.
Never… blame someone else for lack of accomplishment. It wastes too much time. Time is the one thing you can never get back.
Favorite Quote… “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Biggest Dream… when I was growing up, I thought I would do a good job as President of the United States. As a kid, I didn’t think it would be that hard!
My Pet Peeve… lack of serviceability. It is not that difficult to teach the team, whether at a restaurant or HVAC company like my son runs – to energetically and respectfully serve the customer.
More About Barry Farah:
Barry Farah has served as a CEO across six industries, is a former candidate for Governor of Colorado, author of three books on customer success, a private pilot and adventurer, and host of the podcast “Culture Shift – The Barry Farah Show”.
Barry is also currently the CEO of Champion Air, which has served the Phoenix metro area since 1982. Winners of numerous awards, Champion Air continues to provide the best service and home comfort solutions for all customers.
