Feature — Alumni Profile
Barry
Klarberg’s Got
Game I
By Caitlin Ultimo
t would be understandable if Barry Klarberg felt somewhat in awe of, say, singer-songwriter and actor Justin Timberlake, actor Charlie Sheen, entrepreneur Russell Simmons, NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier, or NASCAR driver Kyle Busch. After all, as the founder and CEO of Monarch Wealth and Business Management—a firm that provides business and wealth management services to a range of high-net-worth individuals—those are some of the impressive clients he has represented since graduating from Pace. But in Klarberg’s arena, he’s got plenty of game himself, with a broad range of skills acquired and honed early on. Born the son of a beer deliveryman in Rockaway, Queens, he entered Pace as an early admissions student and first-generation college student at age 15. He went on to earn both a BBA and MS from the University in 1981 and 1985. During an impressive career holding positions such as national director of Sports and Entertainment at Deloitte, Klarberg has accomplished at least one lifetime of success in his 30 years in the financial industry that
Illustration by Johanna Goodman
started at Touche Ross in 1981. “I was never driven solely by financial goals,” he says. “I was driven to do the right thing by clients and to establish opportunities that allow you to make a difference.” As you might expect, Klarberg spends a lot of his time giving back to the community and multiple charities. “I mix my clients into it,” he says. “I can have Kyle Busch at the National Meningitis Association and take Charlie Sheen to the USO. I love watching people’s reactions to…a professional athlete or entertainer for the first time, but the athlete or entertainer is the one who gets so much more back.” Klarberg has recently returned to Pace, after graduating 30 years ago, as an Executive in Residence and a Lecturer in Residence for the Lubin School of Business. He jokes about bleeding blue and gold, but his reasons are genuine and deeply felt. When asked for his best memory of Pace, he responds without hesitation: “Oh, wow. My acceptance letter.” n
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