Staff Directory

Adam Barnes

Title:
Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Financial Officer
Email:

Adam Barnes serves as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Wisconsin Athletics, a role he has held since 2022 after joining the department in 2019. As a member of the department’s executive leadership team, Barnes helps guide the financial strategy and operational infrastructure that support the success of more than 800 student-athletes.

Barnes oversees all business and financial operations for Wisconsin Athletics, including management of the department’s more than $200 million budget. His portfolio includes the business office, financial planning and analysis, technology services, enterprise systems, and data strategy. Working collaboratively across the department and campus, he leads efforts to align resources with strategic priorities, enhance student-athlete opportunities, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

In addition to day-to-day oversight, Barnes plays a key role in advancing initiatives that strengthen revenue performance, improve operational efficiency, and modernize systems and processes. His leadership has helped position Wisconsin Athletics to navigate a rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape. He also serves as a key liaison to campus and external partners.

Prior to Wisconsin, Barnes served as Chief Financial Officer for OneEvent Technologies, a life and property safety startup, where he led financial strategy and M&A activities during a period of early-stage growth. He previously was Vice President of Finance & Operations for the Center for Professional & Executive Development, a 501(c)(3) affiliated with the Wisconsin School of Business. He began his career in public accounting with Grant Thornton LLP in their audit practice.

Barnes is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master of Professional Accountancy and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He is active in the Madison community, serving on the Board of the Goodman Community Center. Barnes and his wife, Andrea, have two children.