Morgantown Dominion Post
2 April 2006
Barry Pallay
AGE: 59
EDUCATION: 1968, bachelor of science, chemical engineering,
Clarkson College,
N.Y.; 1970, master of science, chemical engineering, University
of Maryland
FAMILY: wife, Darlene; three sons and four grand children
QUOTE: "Strive to realize your potential, taking the high
road with win-wins."
By Gary Gray
Barry Pallay is one of those people who gets involved in public matters — but not so far that they become politicians.
A chemical engineer by trade, Pallay merges engineering with public issues, a process he calls "interest-based problem solving."
"Engineers are problem solvers," he said. "In regards to economic development, the interested parties get together, look for mutual interests and move toward their goals. In this case, everyone wins."
Pallay, 59, is Upper Monongahela River Association president and a member of the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Mon River Recreation and Commerce Committee, a part of Vision 2020.
If that weren't enough to keep him occupied, Pallay also is a member of the Monongalia County Development Authority and Region Six Planning and Development Council.
For years, he has focused on facilitating growth in economic development and entrepreneurship in Monongalia County. Currently his focus is on merging recreation and commerce on the Mon River.
"He's a mover-and-shaker type," said Donald Strimbeck, secretary of the Upper Monongahela River Association. "He tends to move about very quietly, so he's not going to be in the spotlight."
Strimbeck said he works with Pallay mainly on issues concerning the Mon River.
Pallay is always looking for solutions to problems "where everyone wins something," Strimbeck said. "He works quietly on projects intended to improve our environmental stewardship and recreational opportunities," he said. "He ... brought the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the Development Authority together to plan a major boat launch ramp, which will be built in Maidsville this year."
Wallace Venable said he also has worked closely with Pallay on Mon River issues.
"For many years, he earned his living as a chemical engineer at the Morgantown Energy Research Center," Venable said. "He has retired from that but brings an analytical approach to his community activities."
Though he has plenty to keep him busy, Pallay also trains regularly in martial arts and has won two silver medals the U.S. Championship tae kwon do tournaments. He also just returned from scuba diving in the Caribbean.
When asked if might run for public office someday, Pallay said he preferred to "stay in the background."
"For many years I've wanted to give our children and grandchildren a chance to stay in Mon County," he said. "I've felt that we need to create a climate that will allow people growing up in West Virginia to stay here and prosper. So most of the things I've been involved with have had to do with creating partnerships."