John W. Barfield
John W. Barfield (February 8 1927 – January 2, 2018) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama) was an African American businessman who served in the U.S. Army in France and Germany immediately after World War II.
Business Journey[edit]
On his return, Barfield began working as a custodian for the University of Michigan and started his first business in 1955, called the Barfield Cleaning Company of Ypsilanti, Michigan,[1] which employed 200 people. Barfield later founded a $2B staffing business with 2,600 employees, which was named “Company of the Year” by the Black Enterprise magazine in 1985.[2] Barfield is a recipient of the George Romney Award recognizing lifelong achievement in volunteerism.[3]
The Bartech Group, which was founded by Barfield, is a workforce management and staff provider, headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, United States, with international operations in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Personal life[edit]
Barfield and his wife had six children and resided in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Barfield died of natural causes in his home in Ann Arbor on January 2, 2018.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ University of Michigan, Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. "John W. Barfield". Retrieved on July 17, 2013.
- ^ Dingle, Derek T. "B.E. Company of the Year: Barfield Companies". Black Enterprise, June 1985, pp. 110-118. Retrieved on July 17, 2013.
- ^ Northwood University. "20th Annual Award Ceremony - John W. Barfield". Retrieved on July 17, 2013.
- ^ "CORRECTING and REPLACING Bartech Founder John W. Barfield: A Business Legend and Pioneer" (Press release). 5 January 2018.