John Barry Inducted Into Colorado Aviation Historical Hall Of Fame And Named One Of DBJ’s Most Admired CEOS

DENVER – NOV 20, 2023 – Wings Over the Rockies™ (Wings) is pleased to announce that John Barry, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret), the organization’s President & CEO, was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Historical Society Hall of Fame and was also recognized as one of Denver Business Journal’s (DBJ) Most Admired CEOs.

The Colorado Aviation Historical Society hosted their 53rd Hall of Fame Banquet on Oct. 7 and inducted Barry, along with Larry A. Ulrich and the late Colonel W. Dillard “Pic” Walker into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame. Barry was also the recipient of the DBJ’s 2023 Most Admired CEO award. The award program was held on Nov. 16 at the Ritz-Carlton in Denver and celebrated 21 top-ranking execs whose vision is shaping their organizations, sectors and the community at large. To read Barry’s full DBJ Most Admired CEO award profile, click here.

Prior to joining Wings in 2016, Barry served as President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver for almost three years and as superintendent of Aurora Public Schools for seven years earning the state Superintendent of the Year award in 2011. Before returning to Colorado, he served in the United States Air Force for over 30 years as a combat veteran (270 combat hours), fighter pilot/USAF “Top Gun” (Fighter Weapons School) graduate, winning team member at the “Top Gun” International Air-to-Air William Tell Competition, Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, and commander multiple times at the squadron, group and twice at the wing command level. He is also a survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. Barry retired in 2004 as a “Two Star”, Major General, and served his last tour on active duty as Board Member and Executive Director for the Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation. His immediate job for three years after the USAF was serving as the Vice President for Defense and Security at SAP, a multi-billion dollar international corporation and leader in industrial software.

About Wings Over the Rockies™
Wings Over the Rockies™, a Colorado-based non-profit organization and Colorado’s official Air and Space Museum, is committed to educating, inspiring and exciting all people about aviation and space endeavors of the past, present and future. Wings is one organization with two locations. Located in Denver’s historic Lowry neighborhood and established in 1994, the Museum features nearly 100,000 square feet of world-class historical and educational exhibits. In addition to more than 50 impressive aircraft and spacecraft, visitors discover exciting personalities, stories, and events about every aspect of aviation and space exploration. Exploration of Flight is located at Centennial Airport. Opened in 2018, it features 18,000 square feet of interactive experiences, aviation-focused events and actual flying aircraft. Visitors to the two locations come from all 50 states and more than 34 countries. For more information about Wings Over the Rockies, please visit WingsMuseum.org.

###