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Trump Nominates Aerospace Executive Barbara Barrett For Air Force Secretary

Barbara Barrett
U.S. Department of State
Barbara Barrett

HOST: Paradise Valley businesswoman Barbara Barrett has been nominated to become the next secretary of the Air Force.

Barrett has been involved in multiple business roles in Arizona and served on national boards including the RAND Corporation and the Smithsonian Institution.

Barrett served as ambassador to Finland in 2008 and 2009 during the George W. Bush administration. She trained as an astronaut and was a backup crew member in 2010 for a space flight to the International space station.

She has as served as an advisor to five U.S. presidents. She is an instrument rated pilot and was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2014.

Barrett also served as interim president of Thunderbird School of Global Management

Arizona senator Martha McSally had urged President Trump to nominate Barrett as Air Force Secretary.

If Barrett’s nomination is confirmed by the senate she would replace Heather Wilson, who announced her resignation effective May 31.

Al Macias, former KJZZ news director, retired as KJZZ's news director in 2022. He rejoined the station as a features reporter in 2023 and also as a part-time editor in 2024.