By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Kevin Barr, AMU Graduate
Industries come and go in America. As society advances, we become less reliant on certain resources and practices, creating opportunities for new industries and technologies designed to make life easier.
Two areas at the forefront of that evolution are sustainable food practices and artificial intelligence (AI). Today, AI technology helps businesses to develop more effective and efficient solutions to everyday challenges.
For University alumnus Kevin Barr, those two areas came together in an unexpected way.
A 2017 graduate of American Military University part of American Public University System (“AMU”), Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations and global security. Today, he is the founder and CEO of HealthBarr Studios, LLC, a technology company. His company uses AI to help households around the world prevent food waste, manage food more effectively and save money.
With Food Waste Prevention Week beginning September 28, Kevin’s entrepreneurial journey offers a timely look at how education, military experience and a willingness to pursue an unconventional path can come together to create something new. Barr’s success will be on full display. Dedicated to serving all, HealthBarr Studios celebrates its ability to utilize technology to make the world a better place.
Following the Military Education Path
Kevin grew up with a Japanese mother and a military father who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His family did not have the financial resources to pay for a traditional college education, and watching his parents experience periods of unemployment shaped his perspective on independence and education.
“I made a promise to myself and to my parents. I thought my parents do not have to take care of me anymore. After I finish high school, I will take care of myself, and I will find a way to pay for my own education,” Kevin says.
Recognizing that he needed a nontraditional path to continue his education, Kevin joined the Marine Corps. While serving, he took advantage of educational opportunities available through the military, including the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP®) and the Defense Activity for Education Support (DANTES) Subject Standardized Test (DSST) to earn college credit.
“I completed CLEP and DSST examinations to earn university credit and enrolled in American Military University,” he adds.
The University’s flexible scheduling and practical degree options allowed him to continue making progress toward his degree while serving. Kevin credits that flexibility with helping him achieve his educational and career goals and loved how staff and faculty understand the challenges servicemembers face.
“That experience had a deep impact on me. I saw many friends drop out of college or become financially overwhelmed by the traditional university system. The University taught me that there is not only one road to success. There are many different paths, and sometimes taking the road less traveled can lead to the adventure of a lifetime.”
He particularly appreciated the University’s understanding of nontraditional educational and career paths.
“My experience with the University was fantastic. One of the things I appreciated most was its commitment to nontraditional educational and career paths.
“In 2015, I saw that the University was forward-thinking. The University understood the value of online learning and was committed to serving communities that were often overlooked, especially military students and working adults.”
Kevin remembers one example of that support while participating in a military training operation at Camp Fuji in Japan. Despite the demands of his military responsibilities, university faculty and staff helped him remain on track academically.
He notes, “They genuinely cared about both my academic progress and my military responsibilities. I greatly appreciated that support. The University created a community that understood the realities of military life in a way that few other universities did.”
Transitioning from International Relations to AI Technology
Kevin originally chose to study international relations in part because of the global security experiences he gained during his military career, which included working alongside the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Royal Thai Air Force. “Combining those real-world experiences with the theories and ideas I studied in my courses helped me see that I did not have to limit myself to my military occupation,” he notes.
That mindset eventually gave Kevin the confidence to transition from international relations and military service into entrepreneurship and AI technology.
“My education gave me the confidence to believe that I could learn new skills and enter unfamiliar fields. It taught me that when I truly commit myself to something, I can accomplish more than I originally thought possible.”
A New Mission: Using AI Technology to Reduce Food Waste
Kevin drew inspiration from how the University served different communities, including military servicemembers, working adults and non-traditional students. That inspiration led to the founding of HealthBarr Studios.
“With HealthBarr Studios, I saw another underserved group: the average household. Large corporations, restaurants, and commercial kitchens often have complex systems to manage inventory, monitor food freshness, reduce spoilage, and control costs. However, the average person does not have access to those kinds of systems.”
Kevin believes that households need a solution that is simple, fun and encouraging. That belief led Kevin to create a platform that includes AI technology to help the consumer. This AI technology provides virtual companionship and uses advanced image-scanning technology to make food management easier for each household.
That idea became HealthBarr®, an app designed to help people keep track of their food, understand what should be eaten first, reduce unnecessary waste and save money.
“I created HealthBarr Studios because I wanted to serve again. This time, instead of serving the military, I wanted to help ordinary households, especially people who feel ignored by existing systems, develop a healthier relationship with their food and their finances.”
Encouraging Others to Follow an Educational Path
Kevin’s passion for helping others extends beyond his work with HealthBarr Studios and its AI technology. One of his favorite pursuits is helping people continue their education. He has volunteered to teach English online to people in Thailand and Indonesia and enjoys helping his friends identify and apply for scholarship opportunities.
Kevin also offers advice to others considering a new educational or career path:
- “It is never too late to start.”
- “Later is a promise that often never comes. Do it now.”
- “Do not overthink every step. Take things one step at a time. You may eventually find yourself entering a career you never thought was possible. I went from studying international relations and working as a Marine Corps electrician to becoming the CEO of a technology company.”
- “You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. You simply need the courage to take the first step.”
CLEP® is a registered trademark of College Board.
HealthBarr® is a registered trademark of HealthBarr Studios, LLC.
About the Author
John Robert Morton is a Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 17 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Our Department
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.
As a team, the Alumni Affairs team works to build and sustain relationships with alumni along their personal and professional journeys. We actively look for ways to recognize and showcase alumni, telling their stories to motivate and encourage students to pursue their goals.
If you are an alumni community member and looking for ways to remain actively involved, please get in touch with alumni@apus.edu and speak with a team member.
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