Ron received an AS in Computer Programming from the New England Institute of Technology in 1985. His career includes employment with Providence Washington Insurance, AIG, Trust Insurance, AAA Southern New England, and his current employer Horace Mann Education Association in Franklin Mass. Ron is currently Vice President of Information Technology Services for HMEA and has been there 19 years. HMEA serves children and adults with developmental disabilities throughout Massachusetts.

Ron or Colonel Barnes as he is known, is currently the Commander of the Pawtuxet Rangers, RI Historic Militia chartered in 1774. He has been a member for 34 years and Commanding Officer for 17. He was instrumental in the restoration of their 1843 armory and in procuring a secretarial copy of their original charter circa 1777-1778. Ron was elected and served as National Commander of the Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands from 2016-2017. He was recently appointed by the Adjutant General of Rhode Island as the Rhode Island Historic Commands Liaison to the Adjutant General. He regularly contributes articles for the Pawtuxet Village newspaper, The Bridge. He is currently the President of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, First Vice President of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the Revolution, Treasurer of the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars, and is Governor General of the First Families of Rhode Island.

Other memberships include The Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, The Military Order of Foreign Wars, Knights Templar, Order of Founders and Patriots, The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, Roger Williams Family Society, Colonial Clergy, Mayflower Society, War of 1812, Sons of the Union Veterans, and other groups.