Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 16, 2026

Rye Barcott

Rye Barcott is an American social entrepreneur, investor, author and former U.S. Marine Corps officer. He is the co-founder and CEO of With Honor, a cross-partisan organization that fights polarization by supporting principled veteran leadership in public office. While serving in the Marine Corps, he co-founded CFK Africa, a locally led youth leadership and public health organization based in Kibera Nairobi, Kenya. He is the author of It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace (2011) and Courage Can Save US: Ten Extraordinary Americans and the Fight for Our Future (2026).

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Rye Barcott
Cofounder and CEO of With Honor
Personal details
Born1979 (age 46–47)
SpouseTracy Barcott
Parents
Alma mater
Occupation
Website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service
2001–2006
Rank Captain

Rye Barcott (born February 10, 1979) is an American social entrepreneur, investor, author and former U.S. Marine Corps officer.2 He is the co-founder and CEO of With Honor, a cross-partisan organization that fights polarization by supporting principled veteran leadership in public office.3  While serving in the Marine Corps, he co-founded CFK Africa (formerly Carolina for Kibera), a locally led youth leadership and public health organization based in Kibera Nairobi, Kenya.4 He is the author of It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace (2011)5 and Courage Can Save US: Ten Extraordinary Americans and the Fight for Our Future (2026).6

Biography

Early life and education

He was born to Donna Schwartz-Barcott, an anthropologist and nursing professor at the University of Rhode Island,7 and Timothy Schwartz-Barcott,8 a sociologist, author and former Marine Corps captain who served in the Vietnam War survived an enemy gunshot to the face, and earned a Bronze Star with a combat “V” for valor.9 His father was a former Marine Corps captain who served in the Vietnam War.10 His parents met while attending graduate school at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).11

Barcott attended East Greenwich High School. He graduated in 2001 Phi Beta Kappa from UNC.12 He attended UNC on a four-year Marine Corps NROTC scholarship.13 Barcott graduated in 2009 with an MPA and MBA from Harvard University, where he was a Center for Public Leadership Social Entrepreneurship Fellow and George Leadership Fellow.14 Harvard University President Drew Faust appointed him to a two-year term on Harvard Endowment's Advisory Committee on Shareholder Responsibility, and he served as a founding member of the movement to create an MBA Oath.15 He was elected as a member of Harvard's Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2016.16

Career

Military service

He served five years on active duty in the Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of captain and deployed to Bosnia, the Horn of Africa, and Iraq.17 In 2006, he provided written testimony to the Iraq Study Group and authored an article about the Iraqi Military Intelligence Academy in Proceedings, the professional journal of the US Navy.18 ABC World News with Charles Gibson covered his work in Kibera and his military service in Iraq and named him a Person of the Week and a 2006 Person of the Year.1920

CFK Africa

While an undergraduate at UNC in 2001, Barcott founded Carolina for Kibera (CFK Africa) as a youth leadership and public health non-governmental organization to fight extreme poverty in slums in Kenya with Salim Mohamed and Tabitha Atieno Festo.21 CFK started as a small inter-ethnic soccer program and medical clinic run out of Festo's ten-by-ten foot shack. It is a major affiliated entity of UNC and partner of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.22 Since 2004, CFK Africa has partnered with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kenya Medical Research Institute. Time and the Gates Foundation recognized CFK Africa as a “Hero of Global Health.”23 Barcott’s experiences with CFK Africa and his military service are described in his memoir, It Happened on the Way to War.24

Business career

Barcott and Dan McCready co-founded Double Time Capital in 2013 as an impact investment firm focused on clean energy and sustainability. As of February 2017, "Double Time has financed 36 solar energy projects, which collectively produce roughly 10% of North Carolina's solar power and power around 30,000 homes in the state."25 At that time, North Carolina was ranked second among US states based on cumulative solar installed capacity.2627

Prior to forming Double Time Capital, Barcott worked as a special advisor to the late CEO and Chairman of Duke Energy, Jim Rogers. Barcott formed and led an investment team for the CEO that focused on renewable energy and disruptive growth opportunities.28

With Honor

Barcott co-founded With Honor in 2017 with the late bipartisan presidential advisor and Navy veteran David Gergen and entrepreneur and Marine Corps Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran Peter Dixon.29 The organization works with veterans and national security professionals running for elected office and supports bipartisan cooperation in government.30

With Honor has worked with members of both major political parties, including through the bipartisan For Country Caucus31 in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as a coalition of senators and governors.32

Since its founding, the organization has supported the election of more than 100 veterans and national security professionals to public office, including 50 serving in Congress,33 and has helped advance more than 200 bipartisan laws focused on national security, national service, and veterans’ affairs.34

Writing and publications

Barcott is the author of the memoir It Happened on the Way to War (Bloomsbury Publishing).35 The book's dedication to CFK Africa cofounders Salim Mohamed, a community organizer, and Tabitha Atieno Festo, a nurse, includes a phrase that captures the central theme of the book: "Talent is universal; opportunity is not.36 The book explores the intersection of social entrepreneurship and military service.24

Reader’s Digest named it one of the top four nonfiction books of the year.37 The North Carolina Literary and Historical Association recognized it as the state’s top nonfiction work in 2011, awarding it the Ragan Old North State Award for Nonfiction.38 The TED Conference selected it for its annual book club.39 Following its publication, Dartmouth College awarded Barcott an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.40

In 2026, he published Courage Can Save US: Ten Extraordinary Americans and the Fight for Our Future (Bloomsbury Publishing), which profiles American political leaders who served in the military and the FBI—five Democrats and five Republicans—and examines themes of public service and bipartisan governance in a divided era. The book was published to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary, the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, and the 70th anniversary of the publication of John F. Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage.41

Courage Can Save US received early acclaim from historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, who wrote "For much of the twentieth century, military service helped shape American leadership. Nearly two-thirds of our presidents wore the nation’s uniform, and in the decades after World War II veterans held the majority of seats in Congress—an era when bipartisanship flourished. In Courage Can Save US, Rye Barcott shines a dramatic spotlight on 9 veterans and an FBI agent now serving in elected office across the country. Forged in service and tested by sacrifice, their inspiring stories reveal how courage, character, and common purpose can still renew our democracy and restore hope for its future."42

In 2001, Barcott co-edited with Dr. Carolyn Pumphrey Armed Conflict in Africa (Scarecrow Press), a book that analyzed the sources of violence in Africa.43 His post-9/11 letters with Salim Mohamed were published in Andrew Carroll's War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars (Scribner, 2001).44 He contributed to Passion and Purpose (Harvard Business Review Press, 2011) , and 27 Views of Charlotte: The Queen City in Prose and Poetry (Eno Publishers, 2014). His writing has appeared in The Washington Post,45 The New York Times,46 USA Today47 and TIME.48

Honors and recognition

Barcott has received recognition for his work in public service, writing, and social entrepreneurship, including:

Boards and affiliations

Personal life

He is the husband of Dr. Tracy Barcott, a child psychologist.66 They live in North Carolina and have three children.

References

References

  1. "Rye Barcott Rye Barcott profile image About the author". Amazon.
  2. "Rye Barcott on Role of Veterans in Public Office | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  3. harvardgazette (2022-05-31). "New breed of American leader". Harvard Gazette. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  4. "Pathways to Public Service: Military Service Panel". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  5. Barcott, Rye (2012-08-02). It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine's Path to Peace. A&C Black. ISBN 978-1-4088-2823-6.
  6. Barcott, Rye (2026-06-09). Courage Can Save Us: Ten Extraordinary Americans and the Fight for Our Future. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 979-8-2602-0058-2.
  7. "URI honors 'icons of nursing education,' celebrates fellowship in their name". Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  8. "Obituary information for Timothy Philip Schwartz-Barcott". www.carpenterjenks.com. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  9. "Professor Donna Schwartz-Barcott URI profile".
  10. "The Providence Journal Obituaries in Providence, RI | The Providence Journal". providencejournal.com. 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
  11. "Timothy Schwartz-Barcott | Department of Sociology". Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  12. "Barcott, Carolina for Kibera Co-Founder, to Speak - UNC General Alumni Association". Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  13. "Rye Barcott, social entrepreneur, to speak at UNC-Chapel Hill Commencement". UNC News. Feb 15, 2018. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  14. "CPL ALUMNI COUNCIL". CPL Alumni Reunion 2018. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  15. "Who We Are - The MBA Oath".
  16. "HAA Board of Directors" (PDF). alumni.harvard.edu. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  17. "Rye Barcott: It Happened on the Way to War | Pritzker Military Museum & Library | Chicago". www.pritzkermilitary.org. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  18. Barcott, Rye (July 2007). ""No Torture"-It's a Start". usni.org. Proceedings Magazine. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  19. "American in Iraq Fights Two Wars at Once". ABC News. 4 May 2007.
  20. "ABC World News: Persons of the Year Profile - Rye Barcott". 5 January 2015. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
  21. Angel Oak Creative. "The Team". Carolina for Kibera. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  22. Kutchma, Beth-Ann. "Carolina for Kibera". Carolina for Kibera. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  23. "Carolina for Kibera Honored as 'Hero of Global Health' - Carolina Alumni". Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  24. "It Happened on the Way to War by Rye Barcott | Vietnam Veterans of America". Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  25. Quittner, Jeremy. "These Marines Beat the Odds to Build a Solar Energy Fund". Fortune.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  26. "North Carolina Solar". SEIA.org. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  27. "Double Time Capital | Investing in Clean American Energy". Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  28. John Downey (18 December 2018). "'Iconic' former Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers dies". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved 25 May 2023. (subscription required)
  29. "Rye Barcott reflects on five pieces of advice from David Gergen". www.hks.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  30. "With Honor Advisors". WithHonor.org. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  31. "For Country Caucus Advances Bipartisan Agenda on National Security, Veterans, and Innovation". United States Congressman Jake Ellzey. 2026-01-05. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  32. "About Us". With Honor. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  33. Fallows, James (2018-09-08). "Will Veterans in Politics Make Politics Better?". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  34. "Laws Passed". With Honor. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  35. "it happened on the way to war". ithappenedonthewaytowar.com.
  36. "At the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative University: 'Talent is Universal: Opportunity is Not' | U-M Erb". 5 April 2012. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  37. Ouellette, Leslie. "Bunker Hill Community College Celebrates Veterans Day with Author Rye Barcott". Bunker Hill Community College.
  38. "NC Book Award Winners – North Carolina Literary Review". Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  39. Herro, Alana (2011-04-22). "Fellows Friday with Rye Barcott | TED Blog". Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  40. "Past Honorary Degree Recipients". president.dartmouth.edu. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  41. Barcott, Rye (2026). Courage can save us: ten extraordinary americans and the fight for our future. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 979-8-2602-0057-5.
  42. bloomsbury.com. "Courage Can Save Us". Bloomsbury. Archived from the original on 2026-06-06. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  43. T. P. Schwartz (2006-05-26). "Armed Conflict in Africa: Pumphrey, Carolyn, Schwartz-Barcott, Rye: 9780810847422: Amazon.com: Books". Smile.amazon.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  44. Carroll, Andrew (2001). War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars. Scribner. ISBN 978-0-7432-1660-9.
  45. Barcott, Rye (2011-05-29). "All Americans have a duty to honor Memorial Day". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  46. Barcott, Rye (May 18, 2011). "When It Comes to Helping Others: Just Do It". New York Times. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  47. Barcott, Mary Tobin and Rye. "Why Biden COVID relief plan will fuel public service in America". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  48. "How to Talk About Enemies on Memorial Day". Time. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  49. "Commencement weekend: School of Public Health welcomes new alumni". sph.unc.edu. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
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  54. "Graduating Students Honored for Service to the School and Society - News". www.hbs.edu. 26 May 2009. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021.
  55. "Rye Barcott: "Take the Pain" | 2018 Spring Commencement Speech UNC-Chapel Hill". 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved Apr 25, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
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  62. "Leadership". Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  63. "Veteran Fellowship Program | Advisory Council". Hoover Institution. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
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  65. "About More Perfect". www.joinmoreperfect.us. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  66. "Tracy Dobbins, Rye Schwartz-Barcott". The New York Times. 2007-07-29. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
External links