Dennis Barsema
Class of 1972Alumni Recognition Award, 2002
"Keep an open heart, open eyes, and an open mind. Only then will you know when opportunity is presenting itself to you." Through hard work and effort, Dennis Barsema overcame many obstacles in his life to become a successful businessman.
Dennis Barsema grew up in a city called Eola. He attended a one-room elementary school called Big Woods School. He later attended the small junior high school in Eola. His eighth grade graduating class composed of 13 students. After the eighth grade Dennis attended Naperville Central, where his new life would begin.
The size of the school and the student body was overwhelming, especially coming from a small community like Eola. He had left his protected world of Eola and was exposed to the reality of high school and life. Dennis had a rough beginning in high school. He had a stuttering problem which made him withdrawn and shy. But by being part of the basketball team for four years, he increased his social skills, and made close relationships with his coach, Coach Bob Grove, and the other teammates. During these four years in high school he learned an important lesson of overcoming fears and finding a way to be successful even when the odds are against you.
After successfully graduating from Naperville in 1972, he attended College of Dupage, acquiring an Associate of Arts degree, while continuing as a student athlete. He later transferred to Northern Illinois University to earn a BS degree in Business Management. While studying towards his BS degree he persisted to control his stuttering condition by enrolling in additional speech classes his senior year.
He began his career as a salesman, starting with selling calculators door to door, with an initial salary of $11,500 a year. Through his persistence and hard work he worked his way up through the ranks from being a salesman to a sales executive position, and eventually, a CEO of Redbacks Computers. Along the way he received numerous awards including salesman of the year, branch manager of the year, district manager of the year, and regional director of the year. His contributions to Redbacks Computers helped it grow to become a very successful company with an annual revenue of over $200 million, eventually becoming the fifth most successful Initial Public Offering in the history of US companies, measured by first day gains.
Other than his financial achievements, Dennis Barsema has been committed to the involvement in the community. The Barsema family has donated a total of $20 million to Northern Illinois University to fund a new College of Business, and providing for a $25,000 scholarship giving priority to Naperville Central students.
The Barsema family has made the Dennis and Stacy scholarship fund for the Illinois Gamma chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Northern Illinois University. They have donated to a variety of other institutions including the Catholic church in Lake Tahoe, CA, the Archbishop Romero School in Aurora IL, the Carpenters place (rehabilitation for the homeless) in Rockford IL, the Mother Teresa Foundation, and a variety of organizations that benefit animal welfare, schools, art and environmental preservations.
Dennis Barsema is currently the CEO of Onetta Incorporations, a loving husband to his wife Stacy, and the father of three sons, Jason, Eric, and Mathew.
MR. BARSEMA'S MESSAGE TO STUDENTS: Keep an open heart, open eyes, and an open mind. Only then will you know when opportunity is presenting itself to you.
