A member of the CNHS Class of 1974, John Burnett went on to Indiana State University where he graduated in 1978. After working as an English teacher and tennis coach, he joined the corporate world, where he eventually founded, and developed a successful technology staffing firm.
After selling his company, he returned to Columbus and soon became a leader in Community Education and Workforce Development – establishing the Columbus Learning Center in 2005, the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in 2011, and the Indiana University J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program in 2018. He served as President and CEO of the Community Education Coalition, Co-founded its CivicLab, and is currently its CEO Emeritus.
Among his many non-profit leadership roles John is a member of the Dean’s Council, IU School of Art, Architecture + Design and a Director of The Columbus Capital Foundation. He has served as a volunteer advisor or Director for many Community organizations including The Heritage Fund, the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, the Columbus Economic Development Council, Columbus Vision 2020, IUPUC, IVY Tech, and the Region 9 Workforce Board.
John has been honored with the IU President’s Medal of Excellence, the Partners in Philanthropy Keystone Award, an IVY Tech Honorary Associate’s degree, the Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award, and the Dick Johnson Leadership Award.
He says his focus is to work for and with others to expand equitable Education and Economic Advancement opportunities in Columbus, as well as regionally and nationally.