Ames Barnett Net Worth: Business Career & Income
Ames Barnett Net Worth in 2026, including earnings from Barnett Southern Corporation, business leadership, and public service roles in Washington, Georgia.
Mar 14, 202616 Shares5.2K Views
Ames McGill Barnett was born and raised in Washington, Georgia. He grew up in a family with deep local roots and a tradition of public service. His grandmother, Mildred Barnett, was the first woman elected to the Washington (Georgia) city council, and his great-uncle, Sam McGill, served as a Georgia state senator. Barnett was taught from an early age the importance of serving his community, reflecting his family’s civic-minded background.
Barnett completed his secondary education at Washington-Wilkes High School, graduating in 1994. He then attended Georgia Southern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology in 1999. While at Georgia Southern he was active in campus life and served as a pledge educator in the Sigma Chi fraternity.
| Fact | Details |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed as of 2026. |
| Main Income Source | CEO of Barnett Southern Corporation. |
| Company | Founder of Barnett Southern Corporation. |
| Industry | Heavy civil construction and infrastructure. |
| Major Project | Hyundai EV MegaSite site development. |
| Political Role | Mayor of Washington, Georgia (2012–2020). |
| Previous Office | Washington City Council member (2008–2012). |
| Education | B.S. Civil Engineering Technology, Georgia Southern University. |
| Awards | Citizen of the Year (2015), Chamber recognition. |
| Business Presence | Offices in Washington, Watkinsville, and Savannah. |
Ames Barnett Career
Ames Barnett is a Georgia-based entrepreneur and construction industry executive. He is best known as the founder and chief executive of Barnett Southern Corporation, a commercial and industrial site development company.
Over the course of his career, Barnett has overseen the company’s growth into multiple divisions and led major infrastructure projects. In addition to his business activities, he served in local government in his hometown, Washington, Georgia, including two terms as mayor.
His combined leadership in business and public service has earned him recognition within the Georgia community.
Entrepreneurial Journey And The Founding Of Barnett Southern Corporation
Barnett’s entrepreneurial career began while he was a student at Georgia Southern University, where he launched his first business, Barnett Southern Corporation. Originally founded in the mid-1990s as a heavy civil site contracting company, Barnett worked part-time in the business during college and joined as a partner immediately after earning his engineering degree.
Over the next decade he gradually increased his stake in the firm, becoming sole owner around 2009. Under his early leadership, the company added new capabilities, including a dedicated logistics division to support construction hauling needs.
Reflecting on his start, Barnett later emphasized that “there’s no substitute for hard work,” underscoring the effort he invested in building the company from the ground up.
Leadership And Business Expansion In The Construction Industry
After establishing Barnett Southern Corporation, Barnett guided the company’s growth into a diversified construction firm. By the mid-2020s the company operated multiple divisions including logistics, marine, and energy services in addition to its core heavy civil construction business.
Under Barnett’s leadership, the firm secured major contracts in Georgia and the Southeast, such as a partnership-led project to develop the site and utilities for Hyundai’s electric vehicle plant.
In announcing that MegaSite contract, Barnett highlighted the company’s mission of delivering “superior utilities and site development services” and expressed excitement about collaborating with other leading contractors. These projects and organizational expansions reflect Barnett’s focus on quality and innovation in infrastructure work.
Ames Barnett’s Role In Local Government And Political Career
In parallel with his business career, Barnett was active in local government. He was first elected to Washington’s city council in 2008 and served a four-year term. In 2012 he was elected Mayor of Washington, Georgia, and was re-elected in 2015, completing two consecutive terms by 2020.
In these roles he was involved in municipal leadership and community planning. During his tenure as mayor, Barnett also held leadership roles in state and regional associations; for example, he served as president of Region 7 of the Georgia Municipal Association and was appointed to the Georgia State Workforce Investment Board in 2014. These positions allowed him to bring his business experience into public administration and regional policy discussions.
Major Achievements, Business Milestones, And Professional Recognition
Under Barnett’s leadership, Barnett Southern achieved significant milestones. In 2014 the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce honored the company as “Big Business of the Year,” acknowledging its rapid growth and service to the community.
Barnett himself was named the chamber’s “Citizen of the Year” in 2015, reflecting recognition for both business success and local engagement. He also completed executive education at Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program (graduating in 2021), underscoring his commitment to developing professional leadership skills.
By the mid-2010s, Barnett Southern was generating tens of millions in annual revenue and employing well over a hundred people, milestones that highlighted its status as a leading regional contractor in Georgia.
Impact On The Georgia Business And Civic Community
Barnett’s career has significantly impacted the local and state business community. His construction projects have contributed to infrastructure growth in Georgia, including road, utility, and energy projects.
For example, the firm’s role in preparing the Hyundai EV MegaSite has been noted as a major contribution to the state’s economic development, as the project is expected to create thousands of jobs in the Savannah region.
Beyond his company’s projects, Barnett engaged in statewide initiatives through appointments and association roles, working with other leaders to promote workforce training and municipal best practices.
Through these efforts, Barnett has blended entrepreneurship with public service, using his expertise to benefit broader economic and civic goals in Georgia.
Current Work, Business Activities, And Public Engagement
In 2020 Barnett completed his service as mayor and returned full-time to his business and civic interests. He continues to lead Barnett Southern Corporation as its chief executive, guiding ongoing construction and infrastructure projects across Georgia.
The company maintains multiple offices including locations in Washington, Watkinsville, and Savannah and remains engaged in heavy civil and energy sector development.
Barnett is also active in professional networks; for example, he was included in the Club for Growth Foundation’s fellowship program in 2022, reflecting his standing among state business leaders.
He frequently participates in industry conferences and community programs, leveraging his experience to advance local development initiatives.
Ames Barnett’s Career Legacy In Business And Public Service
Ames Barnett’s career illustrates the impact a small-town entrepreneur can have through both business leadership and public service. Over two decades he turned a student-founded firm into a respected construction enterprise and, at the same time, guided his hometown’s development through elected office.
Colleagues and community members often cite his commitment to quality, integrity, and community investment as hallmarks of his work. Today, Barnett’s legacy includes a thriving company that continues to employ hundreds of Georgians and a record of civic engagement that serves as a model for future leaders in similar communities. His experience reflects the value of combining industry expertise with local stewardship.
Ames Barnett Net Worth
As of 2026, Ames Barnett’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed, and no official estimate has been verified by major financial authorities. His income primarily comes from his leadership of Barnett Southern Corporation, a heavy civil construction company, as well as Barnett Southern Logistics. He also served as the mayor of Washington, Georgia, a part-time municipal role with a documented salary of $600 per month. However, his specific personal earnings from these positions have not been publicly reported.
FAQs
1. Who Is Ames Barnett?
Ames Barnett is a Georgia-based entrepreneur and construction industry executive. He is the founder and chief executive of Barnett Southern Corporation, a company specializing in heavy civil construction and site development. He also served as mayor of Washington, Georgia.
2. What Company Did Ames Barnett Found?
Ames Barnett founded Barnett Southern Corporation in the mid-1990s. The company focuses on heavy civil construction, site development, and infrastructure services across Georgia and the southeastern United States.
3. What Is Ames Barnett’s Role In Barnett Southern Corporation?
Ames Barnett serves as the founder and chief executive officer of Barnett Southern Corporation. Under his leadership, the company expanded into multiple divisions, including logistics, marine, and energy services.
4. Did Ames Barnett Serve In Public Office?
Yes, Ames Barnett served in local government in Washington, Georgia. He was elected to the city council in 2008 and later served two terms as mayor from 2012 to 2020.
5. Where Was Ames Barnett Educated?
Ames Barnett graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1999. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology.
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