Rick Barney’s impressive 48 years in the industry has seen many changes.

After 6 years at Krause Milling Co. at the onset of his career, Rick joined Froedtert Malt in 1972, re-locating from Milwaukee, WI to Louisville, KY to operate out of the then-called Southern Region. In 1974, Rick was named Vice-President of Sales. Through attrition, Rick absorbed other regions and returned to Milwaukee Wisconsin with wife, Cecilia, in 1991 assuming the role of Executive Vice-President of Commercial Sales, a position he held until 2004, at which point he semi-retired and returned to Louisville, Kentucky to be closer to their two sons (Rick, Jr. and Steve) and to be more visible to his many close friends and contacts in his beloved “bourbon country.” Since 2008, his focus has been exclusively on serving the distilling industry. Through the years, Rick navigated the industry climate through several different corporate ownerships which, since 2008, has been known globally as Malteurop Malting Company.

Barney’s fondness for the industry was always evident, to which he simply says, “I always looked upon my involvement with the industry as part of a family.”

With his eldest son, Rick Jr. having transitioned to a leadership role serving the distilling segment, Rick and Cecilia are looking forward to retirement. All of us at Malteurop applaud his long-tenured service, leadership and friendship.