Barry Crist began his career in Fayette County in 1986 as a special education teacher and has served in the Fayette County School system in West Virginia as an administrator for the past 24 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts in 1986 from the West Virginia Institute of Technology. In 1989 he completed his Master’s Degree in Special Education from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies and earned a second Master’s Degree in Administration in 1994 from Marshall University. Crist retired from the Fayette County School System in 2018 where he served as Coordinator of Career and Technical programs for the county and was administrator of Fayette Institute of Technology (FIT). During his time at FIT, the school was recognized as the #1 Career and Technical Center in the State of West Virginia, awarded West Virginia Exemplary School status, and twice was awarded the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Under his leadership FIT acquired national recognition for all the technical programs offering national certifications. Crist has participated on education-related committees and held offices throughout his career. He is a member of the West Virginia Education Association, Professional Development Council, the West Virginia Secondary School Athletic Committee and the Secondary Principal Association. During his time in Fayette County he worked with the following agencies: New River Family Health, DHHR State Police, Probation Office, the Judicial System and the local school improvement council. Currently, Crist manages his own consulting business providing educational consulting services throughout the state of West Virginia. He also serves on the governing board of Rainelle Medical Center and is a member of the Ansted Lions Club as well as an avid outdoorsman.