THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 19, 1995 TAG: 9502170244
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM HOLDEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
It was a fib that led Michael J. Barrett, the chief executive officer of the Runnymede Corp., to the third-floor offices of Brickell & Associates on Thursday morning.
He had been told that a man from Tennessee who ran a large manufacturing plant was in town and thinking of joining the Chamber of Commerce. Barrett had been asked to say a few nice things about Hampton Roads.
But when the respected Virginia Beach businessman showed up at the public relations company's Oceanfront suite he was met with a flash from cameras and the smiling faces of well-wishers.
He had just been selected as First Citizen of Virginia Beach by the Virginia Beach Jaycees and there wasn't a man from Tennessee anywhere in sight.
Long active in community affairs, Barrett seemed to blush and said he was honored to have won the award, the 45th handed out by the Jaycees.
``It's a tremendous honor, thank you very much,'' said Barrett, who is director of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce's executive committee. ``There is a long line of tremendously successful people before me. I really appreciate it.''
In addition to his position as an executive with Runnymede, a real estate and development company, Barrett, 48, is also a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve, president of the Hampton Roads Soccer Council and a former Virginia Beach assistant city manager.
``You just never expect something like this,'' he said. ``I know the Jaycees do tremendous work for the city. I am humbled you selected me for this award.''
It was not hard to find people who wanted to say something nice about Barrett, who is quietly mentioned as a possible candidate for mayor next year.
``Mike has the uncanny ability to take on any challenge and formulate strategies for success and, with his incredible energy and dedication, bring the project to a successful conclusion,'' said Andrew Fine, whose family owns the Runnymede Corp.
Barrett laughed about the lure set for him at the public relations company.
``Boy, we sucker-punched you,'' Fine teased.
``I'm as gullible as they come,'' Barrett said.
He will be honored for his community service with a dinner in late March or early April. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID HOLLINGSWORTH
Maggie Getzinger, chair of the Virginia Beach Jaycees' First Citizen
Award, sprung the surprise 45th annual award on Michael J. Barrett.
by CNB