Paul Barbagelata '86
An entrepreneurial spirit has always invigorated the hallways and classrooms at Riordan. Many graduates have gone on to start their own businesses — confident, hardworking, and hungry for independence. They were "impatient, full of action, full of manly pride and friendship," to borrow a line from Walt Whitman. Paul Barbagelata, class of 1986, is exactly that kind of Crusader. Now broker and president of BarbCo | Barbagelata Group, he's built one of the most recognized names in San Francisco real estate.
In 1982, Paul was one of very few students from St. Brendan’s to attend Riordan, but looking back he remembers how quickly he became a part of the Crusader brotherhood. “It was an experience that was wholly unique,” Paul remembers. “These have been the best friends of my life.” Like many alums, they’re in touch on a daily basis.
With his new friend group developing, Paul needed an activity to call his own. His dreams of making the basketball team his freshman year were short-lived. Instead, he joined the school band as a drummer. Under the direction of Mr. Mazzaferro, the band played some incredible concerts: at Candlestick for a Giants game — Huey Lewis would sing the anthem — and for a fashion show at the Palace of Fine Arts.
“There were models from Bebe’s,” Paul recalls, “We were pulled out of school early to play. For a kid in high school, that was a pretty good gig.”
The school band rocked games at Kezar too and Paul credits Mr. Mazzaferro for making them such a powerhouse. “The band was the best in the city. St. Ignatius and SH could not touch us.” To this day, Paul still plays drums in his band with his brother, Mark.
Paul dabbled in theater too. He played an extra in To Kill a Mockingbird and remembers how professional the production was — a tradition that continues today. He also contributed cartoons to the school’s newspaper. He still reads the Crusader when he chances on a copy. “Top-notch paper.”
After he graduated, Paul attended the College of San Mateo and then San Francisco State University, but in his junior year he left to help his father, whose health had declined, with his real estate company. Paul’s father, former city supervisor John Barbagelata, had increasingly focused on city politics toward the end of his career. His business needed new blood and energy. Paul and his sister, Anna, stepped in and resurrected the company, which is ubiquitous in San Francisco real estate today, their navy blue signs hanging in front of so many homes in the city.
Paul sees similarities in that story at Riordan: a school on the rise, rejuvenated with new blood and energetic leadership. “The school’s going through a renaissance right now. There’s this real spark of energy.” He’s excited to see what this new wave of Crusaders will accomplish and he hopes they’ll pursue their goals, whatever they may be, with real passion, a “fire in the belly,” as Paul calls it.
San Francisco needs its next wave of small business owners and entrepreneurs. Many of them will be Crusaders, picking up the torch for their families, as Paul did, or striking out on their own.
Paul lives with his wife Marina in the same neighborhood he grew up in. Their children, JP, Eva, and James are grown and off to college. Over the years he's stayed close to Riordan — serving on the alumni board, contributing to the renovation of the Kevin Restani basketball court, and donating a stay at his Sonoma home for the school auction. This year he's helping organize the class of 1986's 40th reunion, and he can't wait to reconnect with old friends.
