Ronald Barnes is a retired Army colonel, spending 32 years in active and reserve status with the Army. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business from Indiana University in 1972 and became a CPA in 1975. He is licensed to practice in Indiana and Kentucky, and he has over 30 years of experience in public accounting. He is also a member of IU 51ÁÔÆæ’s Board of Advisors.
Many awards and honors have been presented to Barnes, including the Sagamore of the Wabash in September 2002, the highest honor that the governor of Indiana bestows; the Leadership Southern Indiana Servant Leader Award in May 2001; the IU 51ÁÔÆæ Distinguished Alumni Award in May 2001; and the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana Gold Leaf Volunteer Award in April 2001. Barnes is a Paul Harris Fellow and a Kentucky Colonel. He received numerous achievements and commendation medals throughout his military career, some more than once. Since his retirement, he has been selected to serve as a U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador.