Barnes has a long track record of customer focus since joining the company in 1977 as a part-time package loader in St. Louis, Mo. He held key positions during UPS’s global expansion efforts in the late 1980s and early 1990s, combining his financial expertise and knowledge of the industry and daily business operations with a firm grasp of technology. Notably, Barnes was the lead business manager on the development of the International Shipments Processing System (ISPS), a Smithsonian award-winning software application developed internally at UPS.

In 1986, Barnes was assigned to the start-up team for UPS Airlines. Formed in little more than a year with all necessary technology and systems in place, UPS Airlines is the fastest growing airline in FAA history. Barnes served as special projects manager during the airline’s start-up phase and eventually became the UPS Customhouse Brokerage controller and information services manager.

In 1998, Barnes assumed the role of customer information management process manager and in 2001 added additional responsibilities for the Information Services Customer Technology Portfolio. In this key position, Barnes managed virtually all UPS technology initiatives that directly touched the customer, including ups.com and a growing number of Internet-based shipping tools. In 2002, Barnes was promoted to vice president, Application Portfolios and oversaw customer technology, customer development, as well as operations and transportation applications development.

Barnes obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Missouri while working as a part-time supervisor for UPS. He is a member of the United Way of America Board of Trustees.