John Wayne Barker

Background

About John Wayne Barker

The eldest child of William & Peggy Barker, John Wayne Barker grew up in Roseville, MN attending Alexander Ramsey H.S, where he had a successful gymnastics career under Coach John Goedeke. JWB went to Bethel College & played 4-years of football under Coach Chub Reynolds & later transferred to St. Cloud State University graduating with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation that required a 10-week unpaid internship in which he lived in the building #7 basement at the Brainerd State Hospital. He obtained his Master’s Degree from Cardinal Stritch & has worked in the disability field since 1980, beginning at Greenbrier Home, then at Bock Associates (consulting to state agencies responsible for LTC ), before coming to Merrick, Inc, in 1998. During this time, JWB was instrumental in starting CLEAR Services, Inc, that continues today under the auspices of St. Paul Community Education & FOCUS Homes (SLS waivered residential provider) that served more than 200 clients in 12 counties. JWB also has served on the DHS Quality Assurance Stakeholder Advisory Group; the DHS Rate Restructuring Workgroup, the Metro-County Individual Rate Structure Pilot, the DHS Waiver Allocation Advisory Committee, the DHS Steering Committee on the “Supported Employment Innovation” video-conference series, the DHS sponsored “CAN DO” workgroup, the DHS Partner Panel, the DSD Disability Waiver Rate System Advisory Committee, and the DHS Employment Summit. JWB has written more than 40 Barks Bytes editorials on disability issues and is on the MOHR Board. JWB lives in Eagan with his wife Mary and they have three adult children. a daughter-in-law and soon a son-in-law. Personally, JWB is a Rotarian (Club President in ’08-’09), was a volunteer donor with the Red Cross Aphaeresis Unit, served on the EAA Board of Directors, and has coached many of his children’s athletic teams. To many people’s dismay JWB shaves his head and loves his Zubaz; while enjoying martinis, fly fishing, golf, reading, and traveling in his 35' RV named Trudy.