Barry J. Burton

Barry J. Burton serves as a contract course director in the School of Systems and Logistics at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). He specializes in developing and teaching classes related to manufacturing maturity and risk assessment processes, with current focus on SYS 213, Management of the Manufacturing Readiness Process.

Mr. Burton brings extensive experience from his previous role with the Air Force Research Lab's Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies Division, where he served as Chair of the DoD's Manufacturing Readiness Level Working Group for four years. His background includes leadership of Industrial Base Assessment and Supply Chain Risk Management programs, as well as technical program management for the Defense Production Act Title III Executive Agent Program Office.

His research interests span manufacturing readiness assessment, supply chain risk management, defense logistics, and engineering and technology management. With 26 years of combined military and civilian experience, Mr. Burton integrates practical defense acquisition knowledge with academic instruction.

Mr. Burton's educational background includes a Master's Degree in Engineering and Technology Management from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is also an Air Force Reserve Development Engineer officer with extensive operational, acquisitions, and teaching experience at institutions including Colorado State University and Virginia Tech.