MECHANICSVILLE, VA, May 04, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Robert N. Barnette Jr. has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Barnette is presently serving as the president of the Virginia State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a position he was elected to serve in 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. Among his responsibilities, to preside at meetings of the NAACP Unit and act as Chair of the Executive Committee. Between meetings of the Executive Committee and the NAACP Unit, to exercise general counsel, plans annual state conferences, and holds quarterly executive authority on behalf of the NAACP Unit, subject to ratification by the Executive Committee. To encourage and assist all Committees in the development of their programs and the performance of their duties. Emphasizing the significance of teamwork and sharing values, Mr. Barnette looks forward to years of future success in his role.
Notably, the Virginia State Conference is the NAACP's civil rights and human rights organization. Focused on providing civil and human rights advocacy, the Virginia Conference represents those that have been faced with discrimination either due to race, color, or creed. Additionally, the Conference advocates for fair law enforcement treatment, criminal justice, and other pressing issues.
Affiliated with the civil rights organization for more than three decades, Mr. Barnette previously served as a unit president for over 12 years and as the president of the Hanover County NAACP. Throughout his career with the organization, he has also been instrumental in increasing branch accountability, processing restorations of voting rights applications, collaborating with the youth council and the Hanover County Baptist Clergy Associations, among other accomplishments to include advocating for an increased number of African American sheriff deputies and the addition of African American faculty in the Hanover County school system. Most honorably, Mr. Barnette was successful in leading to changing two confederate-named schools after bringing it to the attention of the county.
Mr. Barnette is presently serving as the Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Chair. Mr. Barnette is the lead representative of ESGR in Virginia, where he oversees ESGR activities per Department of Defense Instruction 1205.22, "Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve," February 6, 2017, and the ESGR Strategic Plan. ESGR's mission is to foster a culture where employers support and value the military service of their Reserve Component (RC) employees. In Mr. Barnette's role, he and his dedicated volunteers serve as the principal means of communication between the Department of Defense, employers, RC Service members, and the local community. Mr. Barnette's advice and recommendations on matters related to enhancing employer support of the National Guard and Reserve Service members are always welcomed and encouraged.
Leading a distinguished career for many years, Mr. Barnette was employed by E.I. Dupont, Spruance Plant as a Safety & Occupational Health professional. He subsequently was employed as a Safety Engineer for the Shaw Group and later Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) before joining Honeywell Performance Materials & Technologies.
Mr. Barnette has maintained interests in various civic, religious, educational, and nonprofit initiatives, namely as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and parishioner of the Mount Zion Baptist Church, membership chair of the Hanover Rotary Club, secretary and past chair of the Hanover County Electoral Board, and member of the Hanover Sheriff Advisory Board. As a veteran of the U.S. military, he presently serves as the Virginia State Chairman of the Employer Support of the Guard of Reserve, member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
Highly educated, Mr. Barnette graduated from the Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, received a Bachelor of Science in public safety at Virginia Commonwealth University, and obtained a Master of Science in general administration at Central Michigan University. Furthermore, Mr. Barnette graduated from the Richmond division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Citizens Academy and the Drug Enforcement Administration Richmond District Office.
CMSgt. (Ret) Barnette's background was in fire protection and human resource force management. His military assignments included tours in U-Tapao AB and Nakhon Phanom AB Thailand, Pease AFB New Hampshire, and England AFB Louisiana. He served in Operation Desert Storm. Prior to his assignment as the 192nd Fighter Wing Human Resource Advisor, he served as the Support Group First Sergeant.
Mr. Barnette is a proud Vietnam era veteran serving two tours in Southeast Asia. In addition to the following metals and ribbons, Medals, Awards, Commendations: Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Metal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Virginia Commendation Medal, Virginia National Guard Legion of Merit Command Chief Master Sergeant Retired Barnette served as past president of the Virginia Army/Air National Guard Enlisted Association. In addition, he is currently serving as Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States as Area II Director for the Air National Guard. In recognition of his accomplishments in the military,
Mr. Barnette received a Congressional Veteran Commendation recognition because of his "exemplary service and myriad contributions, coupled with a tireless devotion to duty and deeply rooted love for this country. He served with distinction for more than 26 years with the 192nd Air National Guard. He courageously served in Operation Desert Storm when called to active duty by Present George Bush in January 1991. Command Chief Master Sergeant Barnette possesses special Air Force core values of; Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. He has proven his leadership skills, by being recognized for developing and implementing an outstanding mentoring program for the Virginia Air National Guard.
Command Chief Master Sergeant Barnette received the 2022 Meritorious Service Award from the EANGUS Auxiliary. In March 2023, he was recognized with a Distinguished Service Award and a Meritorious Service Award at the 51st Annual Conference & Expo of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).
In part, the former award read "Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Robert Barnette Jr. has served with the distinction and dedication to the United States military, both as an active Airman and later as a member of the Virginia Air National Guard culminating in his selection as the State Command Chief… He embodies true patriotism to our nation … For his outstanding dedication, selfless service, and legacy of distinguished service, Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Robert Barnette is awarded the EANGUS Distinguished Service Award."
In part, the latter awards reads, "CMSgt (Ret) Robert Barnette's tenure as President of the Virginia National Guard Enlisted Association was the guiding force in introducing the Virginia National Guard Enlisted Association Auxiliary as an integral part of the Virginia National Guard Enlisted Association… He is truly a "Side by Side" partner."
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