As director of policy research at the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA.org), , a Dallas, Texas-based free market think tank, Joe Barnett is responsible for the NCPA's publishing program, working with academic authors, independent experts and the NCPA policy staff in the writing, editing and printing of NCPA books, studies and periodicals. He also works with other departments to market and promote NCPA publications and authors.

As an NCPA staff member for 14 years, Barnett has conducted research, written and edited studies in the areas of economic, education, welfare, tax and regulatory policies. He previously edited Daily Policy Digest, the NCPA's e-mail and Web-based newsletter summarizing public policy research news for opinion leaders.

Prior to joining the NCPA in 1995, Barnett held various positions with Ernst & Young related to electronic publishing and was an editorial assistant at McGraw-Hill. He served three years in Washington, D.C., as a legislative assistant to U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas). Prior to joining Congressman Paul's staff, Barnett was an intern at the National Journalism Center in Washington.

Barnett attended the University of Texas at Arlington on a National Merit scholarship and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He was on the staff of the daily Shorthorn and taught freshman composition while attending graduate school.

Barnett has been extensively involved in civic and education groups. He was appointed to bond, budget and boundary committees by the Board of Trustees of the Arlington Independent School District, the third largest public school system in North Texas. He has also served on the City of Arlington's Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Advisory Board of the Arlington Public Library.