Wendell B. Barnes

Wendell B. Barnes (August 23, 1909 – June 11, 1985) was an American politician who served as the 2nd Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 1954 to 1959 and who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives between 1950 and 1952. Born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Barnes graduated from Brown University in 1928 and from the University of Michigan Law School in 1935.

Wendell B. Barnes
2nd Administrator of the Small Business Administration
In office February 9, 1954 – November 21, 1959
President	Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by	William D. Mitchell
Succeeded by	Philip McCallum
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office 1950–1952
Personal details
Born	(1909-08-23)August 23, 1909 Ponca City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	June 11, 1985(1985-06-11) (aged 75) Walnut Creek, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican

Career in law

Barnes practiced law in a private practice (Gavin & Barnes) in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 1939-1941, when he became general counsel for the Tulsa plant of Douglas Aircraft Co. from 1941 to 1946. Barnes worked on formulating legislation as assistant attorney for the Oklahoma Tax Commission from 1935 to 1939. He became a partner in going into general practice in 1939. Barnes served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1950 to 1952 and as Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 1954 to 1959.

Career in business

Barnes resigned from the SBA in November, 1959, and soon joined Shearson, Hammill & Co., a national brokerage and underwriting firm, as a special consultant and later as a general partner. In 1964, he joined the Western Wood Products Association in Portland, Oregon as Executive Vice President. He remained there until 1972. After that, he worked as an executive recruiter, a San Francisco real estate developer, and as a director for several corporations.