Jon Barney is an experienced executive search and leadership advisory consultant with over 25 years of experience helping leading organizations identify top talent and elevate leadership team performance to drive strategic outcomes. As the Aerospace, Defense & National Security sub-sector leader within the Industrial Practice, Jon advises clients across the full ecosystem — spanning aerospace and defense, national security, emerging technologies, infrastructure, space, cybersecurity, government services, industrial, manufacturing and research organizations.
He partners with a diverse range of organizations, including Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, private equity-backed firms, research institutions, nonprofits and government contractors, at the intersection of innovation, national security and mission-critical operations.
Sector leadership and experience highlights
- At a boutique executive search firm, Jon co-led the industrial sector. He developed and executed a global growth strategy, overseeing financial performance, talent acquisition and development, pipeline management and international collaboration.
- Previously, he was a senior partner at a global executive search firm, advising clients in aerospace and defense.
- Earlier, Jon served as managing director at Avascent, a strategy consulting firm focused on government-driven markets and started his consulting career at Booz Allen.
- He began his career as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, serving for five years onboard a destroyer, at the Pentagon and at NATO headquarters.
Jon holds a B.S. with honors from the United States Naval Academy and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He is a member of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., serves on the board of the National Defense Industrial Association and the board of Easterseals DC MD VA, and mentors veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project.