A Quick Biography of Rich Barton
Key Points and Facts
Timeline
Life Lessons
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The Life Story of Rich Barton
Rich Barton: The Innovator Behind Expedia, Zillow, and Glassdoor
Early Life and Education
Born on June 2, 1967, in New Canaan, Connecticut, Rich Barton was raised by a teacher and a mechanical engineer.
His early years were marked by academic curiosity and an entrepreneurial spirit.
This drive led him to Stanford University, where he graduated in 1989 with a degree in industrial design.
A Stellar Beginning at Microsoft
Barton’s professional journey began at Alliance Consulting Group. Still, his entry into Microsoft in 1991 set the stage for his future endeavors.
At Microsoft, he worked on pivotal products like MS-DOS and the Windows operating system, showcasing his knack for innovation.
The Birth of Expedia
While working on a Microsoft travel guide project, Barton envisioned a platform to revolutionize the travel industry. In 1994, he launched Expedia, an online travel booking service within Microsoft.
It was a pioneering idea that allowed consumers to directly access flight information and book travel, bypassing traditional agencies.
Under Barton’s leadership, Expedia spun off as a public company in 1999, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Zillow: Transforming Real Estate
In 2006, Barton and Lloyd Frink, another former Expedia executive, founded Zillow.
The website instantly gained popularity for its unique feature, the Zestimate, which provided estimated home values.
Barton’s tenure as CEO of Zillow lasted until 2010, and he later returned to the role in 2019, further cementing his status as a visionary in the digital world.
Glassdoor and Beyond
Barton continued his entrepreneurial journey by founding Glassdoor in 2007, a platform revolutionizing workplace transparency. Glassdoor was sold for over $1 billion in 2018, adding to Barton’s list of successful ventures.
A Philosophy of Transparency
Throughout his career, Barton has been a proponent of the philosophy of transparency. His projects like Expedia, Zillow, and Glassdoor all embody this ethos, empowering consumers and employees with information and resources.
Achievements and Recognitions
Barton’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. MIT Technology Review recognized him as one of the top 10 innovators under 35 in 2003.
His appointment as Barack Obama’s Presidential Ambassador for Continental Entrepreneurship in April 2012 highlights his influence in the entrepreneurial world.
Wealth, Lifestyle, and Philanthropy
In February 2020, Barton’s net worth crossed the billion-dollar mark, largely thanks to Zillow’s success.
Despite his wealth, Barton maintains a low-profile lifestyle in a quiet Seattle neighborhood. His philanthropic efforts are channeled through the Barton Family Foundation.
Leadership and Boards
Barton’s leadership extends beyond his companies. He has been a venture partner at Benchmark and serves on the boards of directors for Netflix, Avvo, Nextdoor, and Artsy.
His involvement with the Stanford University Board of Trustees reflects his commitment to education and innovation.
A Comparison to Industry Leaders
Rich Barton stands tall among industry giants. His ventures in the same hometown as Amazon draw parallels with leaders like Jeff Bezos. Barton’s impact on the hotel industry is often compared to those like Conrad Hilton and Brian Chesky.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Innovation
Rich Barton’s journey from a visionary at Microsoft to a billionaire entrepreneur is a testament to his innovative spirit and dedication.
Barton’s impact on the technology and internet industry, coupled with his contributions to business and philanthropy, mark him as a modern-day pioneer, reshaping how we interact with the digital world.
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Key Points and Facts About Rich Barton
Early Life and Education
- Born: June 2, 1967.
- Birthplace: New Canaan, Connecticut, U.S.
- Parents: A teacher and a mechanical engineer.
- Education: Graduated from Stanford University in 1989 with a degree in industrial design.
- Early Entrepreneurship: Ran an ice-cream truck and worked as a golf caddy; funded college education through independent ventures like a painting company.
Career Highlights
- Microsoft Career: Joined Microsoft in 1991, worked on MS-DOS and Windows operating systems.
- Founding Expedia: Pitched the idea to Bill Gates while working on a Microsoft travel-guide project; launched Expedia.com in 1994.
- CEO of Expedia: Led Expedia from its inception to its IPO in 1999; remained CEO until 2003.
- Co-Founding Zillow: Along with Lloyd Frink, created Zillow.com in 2006, introducing the Zestimate feature.
- Founding Glassdoor: Launched Glassdoor in 2007, a platform for anonymous company reviews.
- CEO of Zillow Group: Served as CEO of Zillow until 2010 and returned to the role in 2019.
- Other Ventures: Involved in the acquisition of Trover by Expedia in 2016.
Board Memberships and Leadership Roles
- Venture Partner: At Benchmark.
- Boards of Directors: Served on boards for Netflix, Avvo, Nextdoor, and Artsy.
- Stanford University: Member of the Board of Trustees.
Recognition and Achievements
- MIT Technology Review: Named one of the top 10 innovators under 35 in 2003.
- Presidential Appointment: Named a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship by Barack Obama in April 2012.
- Billionaire Status: Achieved billionaire status in February 2020 due to Zillow’s success.
Philosophy and Impact
- Philosophy of Transparency: Advocated for transparency in Expedia, Zillow, and Glassdoor.
- Comparison to Industry Leaders: Zillow and Expedia share their hometown with Amazon; Barton compared to industry leaders like Conrad Hilton and Brian Chesky.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
- Lifestyle: Lives a low-profile life in a quiet Seattle neighborhood.
- Philanthropy: Involved in philanthropic efforts through the Barton Family Foundation.
Management Style and Approach
- Leadership Skills: Known for his visionary leadership and ability to motivate employees.
- Management Style: Praised for his innovative management style.
- Challenges and Controversies: Faced challenges and controversies, including making ambitious statements to the press.
Life After Expedia
- Resignation: Stepped down as president and CEO of Expedia in 2003.
- Continuing Involvement: Maintained involvement with Expedia through a position on the board of directors at IAC/InterActiveCorp.
- Board Roles: Held positions on the boards of companies like Ticketmaster, Netflix, and AtomShockwave.
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Rich Barton
1967
- Born: June 2, in New Canaan, Connecticut.
1989
- Graduation: Earns a degree in industrial design from Stanford University.
1991
- Career at Microsoft: Starts working at Microsoft, focusing on MS-DOS and the Windows operating system.
1994
- Founding Expedia: Launches Expedia within Microsoft, inspired by a project at the company.
1996
- Expedia on the Web: Debuts Expedia online, marking a new era in travel booking.
1999
- Expedia’s IPO: Expedia becomes its own public company, with Barton as CEO.
2001
- Expanding Expedia: Sale of control of Expedia to USA Interactive, expanding its services.
2003
- Stepping Down from Expedia: Resigns as CEO of Expedia and takes a year off in Europe. Continues involvement with Expedia through IAC/InterActiveCorp’s board.
2006
- Creating Zillow: Co-founds Zillow with Lloyd Frink, introducing innovative real estate data access.
2007
- Launching Glassdoor: Founds Glassdoor, providing transparency in the workplace.
2010
- CEO Tenure at Zillow: Ends his initial role as CEO of Zillow.
2012
- Presidential Ambassador: Appointed as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship by Barack Obama in April.
2014
- Philanthropic Efforts: Increases involvement in philanthropy through the Barton Family Foundation.
2016
- Expanding Ventures: Oversees the acquisition of Trover by Expedia.
2018
- Glassdoor Sale: Glassdoor is sold to a Japanese corporation for over $1 billion.
2019
- Return to Zillow: Rejoins Zillow as CEO.
2020
- Billionaire Status: Achieves billionaire status in February due to Zillow’s success.
Ongoing
- Continuous Impact: Remains a venture partner at Benchmark and serves on the boards of directors for companies like Netflix, Avvo, Nextdoor, and Artsy, while contributing to the Stanford University Board of Trustees.
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Lessons from Rich Barton’s Life
Embrace Innovation and Change
Rich Barton’s career is a stellar example of how embracing innovation can lead to great success.
He saw the potential of the internet early on and used it to transform the travel industry with Expedia.
This shows us that being open to new technologies and ideas, and being willing to change the status quo, can lead to groundbreaking achievements.
For students, this means staying curious and open to new ways of doing things, whether it’s in school projects or in their everyday lives.
The Power of Vision and Leadership
As the leader of Expedia, Zillow, and Glassdoor, Barton demonstrated the power of having a strong vision and leading by example.
His ability to foresee market trends and his leadership in guiding these companies to success teach us the importance of having a clear goal and working passionately towards it.
It also shows the value of good leadership in motivating and guiding a team towards a common objective.
For young learners, this translates to setting clear goals for themselves and working persistently to achieve them, while also being a positive influence on those around them.
Philanthropy and Social Responsibility
Despite achieving billionaire status and immense success, Barton leads a low-profile lifestyle and is involved in philanthropic efforts through the Barton Family Foundation.
His commitment to giving back to the community and his involvement in various boards and organizations highlight the importance of social responsibility.
This lesson teaches students that success is not just about personal gain, but also about contributing positively to society and helping others.
It encourages them to think about how they can use their skills and resources to make a difference in their communities.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rich Barton
When was Rich Barton born and where did he grow up?
- Rich Barton was born on June 2, 1967, and he grew up in New Canaan, Connecticut. His parents were a teacher and a mechanical engineer.
What is Rich Barton’s educational background?
- Rich Barton graduated from Stanford University in 1989 with a degree in industrial design. His early education took place in his hometown of New Canaan.
What was Barton’s role at Microsoft?
- Rich Barton began his career at Microsoft in 1991. He worked as a product manager for MS-DOS and later for the Windows operating system. During his time there, he developed a user-friendly guide for selling MS-DOS.
How did Rich Barton come up with the idea for Expedia?
- The idea for Expedia came to Barton while he was working on a travel-guide project at Microsoft. He saw the potential for the internet to give travelers direct access to flight information, leading to the creation of Expedia.com in 1994.
What are some notable achievements of Rich Barton?
- Rich Barton is known for founding Expedia, Zillow, and Glassdoor. He also played a significant role in the acquisition of Trover by Expedia in 2016. Barton has been recognized as a top innovator and was appointed as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.
What is Rich Barton’s philosophy about technology and business?
- Rich Barton believes in the philosophy of transparency, often referred to as “power to the people.” He applied this philosophy in his businesses, aiming to empower users with information and tools to make informed decisions.
Has Rich Barton received any notable recognitions?
- Yes, he was recognized as one of the top 10 innovators under 35 by MIT Technology Review in 2003. Additionally, he was appointed to Barack Obama’s Presidential Ambassadors for Continental Entrepreneurship in April 2012.
What is Rich Barton’s involvement in philanthropy?
- Barton is active in philanthropy, primarily through the Barton Family Foundation. Despite his wealth, he maintains a low-profile lifestyle and is committed to giving back to the community.
What other roles has Rich Barton held?
- Besides being the CEO of Zillow Group, Barton has served as a venture partner at Benchmark and holds membership on the boards of directors for companies like Netflix, Avvo, Nextdoor, and Artsy. He is also involved with the Stanford University Board of Trustees.
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References:
Richard Barton | Biography, Expedia, Zillow, & Facts | Britannica
