Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum selects John Barry as Chief Executive Officer

Former Superintendent of Aurora Public Schools and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver to continue organization’s rapid rise to prominence

Denver, CO – December 19, 2016 – Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum today announced the appointment of Major General John Barry, 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.”

About Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum:

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is Colorado’s Official Air & Space Museum. Founded in 1994 and housed at the former Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Wings is dedicated to inspiring, educating and entertaining the public about aviation and space endeavors of the past, present and future. Visitors will find over 50 aircraft on display, thrilling flight simulator experiences and a learning center dedicated to the expansion of aerospace education in Colorado. For more information about Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum please visit WingsMuseum.org, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter & Instagram, connect with us on LinkedIn, join us on G+ and subscribe to our YouTube channel.