Former Superintendent Of Aurora Public Schools And CEO Of Boys & Girls Club Of Metro Denver To Continue Organization’s Rapid Rise To Prominence

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space  Museum has announced the appointment of Major General John Barry (pictured), USAF (Retired) as the CEO of the organization. Mr. Barry earlier served as chairman of  the board for Wings Over the Rockies – during which time he oversaw major  growth in the museum’s infrastructure.

“If we were to design a perfect leader to take Wings boldly into the future” said  Charlie Johnson, chairman of the board at Wings Over the Rockies, “the blueprint  would almost certainly include a diagram of John Barry. There simply isn’t a more  qualified, courageous or passionate leader more devoted to the heritage and to  the future of our museum’s mission.”

An honor graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Mr. Barry holds a  Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and attended the Kennedy  School of Government at Harvard. He has served as a White House Fellow and  Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, as well as graduating from the  Broad School of Superintendents.

Mr. Barry is highly regarded in both military and government circles. Beyond his  service as a combat fighter pilot, wing commander, and graduate of Top Gun – he  is known worldwide for his work as Board Member and Executive Director of the  Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation team.  Subsequently, Mr. Barry served as Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools for  seven years, during which time he was named Colorado Superintendent of the  Year, as well as Communicator of the Year. Most recently, Mr. Barry served as  president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver.  “I’m extremely honored to have been selected to lead such an incredibly important  organization” explained Mr. Barry. “As a retired General Officer, I’m proud to be  part of the Wings team. As a pilot I’m excited. And, as a businessman, I’m eager.  Wings has become a place dreams really do take flight.”

Mr. Barry takes over for trailblazer Greg Anderson who is stepping down after 12  years of service as Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum’s Chief  Executive Officer. “Greg Anderson has done a superb job in establishing the  Museum as a world class heritage monument to aerospace,” explained John  Barry. “We are grateful that he will stay on in a supporting role as executive  director for the capital campaign in our additional development at Centennial  Airport.”

(Image provided with Wings of the Rockies Air & Space Museum news release)

FMI: www.wingsmuseum.org