Shawn J. Barnes

Colonel Shawn J. Barnes, USAF (Ret.) is a Senior Defense Associate at the Samuel Group in Washington, D.C., bringing extensive experience in defense and space operations from his distinguished careers in federal service and the U.S. Air Force.

Prior to joining the Samuel Group, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller at the Pentagon. In this role, he was the primary liaison between the Department of the Air Force and Congressional Appropriations and Budget Committees, leading a multidisciplinary team to align Air Force and Space Force financial priorities with legislative actions.

In 1985, he joined the U.S. Air Force, embarking on a 28-year career and retiring as a Colonel in 2013. His military service included command positions in intercontinental ballistic missile operations, space operations, and space testing, training, and education. He led the 12th Space Warning Squadron at Thule Air Base, Greenland, and the 595th Space Group at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.

As a senior civilian, Mr. Barnes supported or led strategic planning, congressional liaison, space operations, space policy, and space acquisition.

For eighteen months, Mr. Barnes performed the duties of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, where he played a pivotal role in integrating space capabilities at the Pentagon.

Mr. Barnes holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Long Island University, Southampton, a Master of Political Science from Auburn University at Montgomery, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National War College. His professional military education includes Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and the National War College.

With his extensive background in military and space policy and resource allocation as well as Congressional Affairs, he is uniquely positioned to support the Samuel Group’s clients in advancing their strategic business interests in the defense and space industries.