Sandy Johnson

Sandy Johnson began her aerospace career as an engineer with McDonnell Douglas Corporation supporting the Skylab and Space Shuttle programs. She was part of a group of eight who worked nights and weekends writing a proposal for the NASA JSC Flight Design Support Services contract. With that win in 1980, Barrios Technology opened its doors. Early in her career, Sandy transitioned from technical roles to project management, business development, contracts/pricing, and executive positions. In 1993, Sandy purchased the company outright.

Under Sandy’s leadership, Barrios Technology has continually held prime Government contracts, earning prestigious awards from NASA JSC, MSFC and Agency-wide and from prime contractor customers for the quality of the company’s products and services. Highlights include two George M. Low Awards for Quality and Excellence, the first small business to win in both the Products and Services categories, two JSC Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Awards (most recently in 2019), NASA’s Woman-owned Business of the Year and being selected as one of The Boeing Company’s Suppliers of the Year. Sandy received NASA’s Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA bestows upon a non-government employee, granted only to individuals whose distinguished accomplishments contribute substantially to the NASA mission.

Additionally, Sandy believes strongly in giving back to the communities Barrios supports, and is active in several organizations. She has served in leadership positions for the United Way of Greater Houston, and as President of the Engineering and Science Foundation Board for her alma mater Louisiana Tech University. She is a past Chairman of the Board of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (twice), the Development and Advisory Council for the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL), the Clear Creek Education Foundation, and Communities In Schools – Bay Area.

Sandy's community achievements are notable as demonstrated by her numerous awards. UHCL presented her with the Presidential Medal for her outstanding contributions to the university and community, the third recipient of this award in the history of UHCL. The Houston Technology Center recognized her dedication and service in the area of Aerospace Entrepreneurship with their Lifetime Achievement Award. Sandy was United Way of Greater Houston’s recipient of the distinguished Robert W. Kneebone Volunteer of the Year Award, the highest honor given to a United Way volunteer in recognition of extraordinary leadership and commitment to community service.

Sandy holds a BS in Mathematics Education from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from the UHCL, and is a Distinguished Alumnus of both. She and her husband Doug, a retired Rockwell International program executive, own homes in Houston, TX and Kauai, HI. She has two daughters, Kelly (Houston) and Lori (Hawaii), two sons-in-law (Jack and Vincenzo), and three grandsons, Jackson, Oliver and Theodore. She enjoys traveling, reading, walking and playing with her precious grandsons.