New Corps Staff

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets continued to add new faces to the staff. 

Col. Arthur Barton

Col. Arthur "Chip" Barton (U.S. Air Force, retired) joined the commandant’s staff as the 1st Battalion deputy commandant in October. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1998 as a Spanish cryptologic linguist before earning a ROTC scholarship at the University of Texas-San Antonio and commissioning in 2002. He has completed assignments as an intelligence officer, EC-130H electronic warfare officer, political affairs strategist, and professional military education instructor. He has deployed five times in his career, supporting operations IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, NOBLE EAGLE, and INHERENT RESOLVE. Additionally, he has worked in international affairs assignments with the Colombian Air Force and Qatari Ministry of Defense, and served as the director of operations for Air Command and Staff College and squadron commander for Squadron Officer School. Most recently, he served as the chief of policy for Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio and completed a Department of Defense internship with the University of the Incarnate Word. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Colombian Air Force's "Fe en la Causa" medal. He was twice named the Air Force's Electronic Warfare Officer of the Year. 

Colonel Barton is married with two children in college. A native of Rhode Island, he enjoys college football, working out, international travel, and Duolingo.

Maj. Matthew Clark 

Maj. Matthew Clark (Royal Canadian Air Force, retired) joined the commandant’s staff in October as the director of the Highty-Tighties. Clark is a conductor, euphonium soloist, and retired senior officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force. With over 30 years of leadership in military and academic music, he is widely recognized for his contributions to wind band performance, education, and commissionings of new and exciting works. Clark's awards include membership in the Order of Military Merit for conspicuous merit and exceptional service by active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Canadian Forces' Decoration. He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and expert judge throughout North America and Europe. 

Clark served as Commanding Officer and Director of Music for both the Royal Canadian Air Force Band and the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy. He was later appointed Commandant of the Canadian Forces Music Training Centre, overseeing all national training and performance standards for military musicians. His international work includes leading Canadian ensembles on royal duties at Buckingham Palace and commemorative performances in Normandy, France. 

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto. His service has been recognized with numerous honors, including appointment to the Order of Military Merit, the Canadian Forces Decoration, and invitation to join the American Bandmasters Association and serve as a judge for the North American Brass Band Championships. 

A passionate advocate for Canadian wind music, Clark has commissioned numerous new works and contributed extensively as a conductor, recording artist, and producer. His writing appears in The Canadian Wind Band Resource Book and GIA’s The North American Wind Symphony. He also serves on the IDEA Committee of the American Bandmasters Association. 

Olivia Ooten 

Olivia Ooten, a native of Lenore, West Virginia, joined Virginia Tech in June as the managing director of Residential Well-being. Prior to Virginia Tech, she served as the assistant director of financial aid at Purdue University and as the assistant director of admissions at Nashville State Community College. Olivia has experience across multiple departments, including admissions, financial aid, residence life, and student success. A 2021 graduate of West Liberty University, she earned a Master of Education in Administration and is passionate about student-centered services and fostering student growth. Outside of work, she enjoys woodcarving, reading, and exploring the New River Valley’s beautiful hiking trails. 

 Lisa Burton 

Lisa Burton joined the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets advancement team as the assistant director of Alumni Relations in October. She previously served in the Office of Advancement as a special events coordinator at Virginia Tech, organizing signature events to celebrate donors, alumni, and students. A native of Pasadena, California, Lisa moved to Virginia in July 2024 to be closer to family. Prior to that, she worked as the executive assistant to the vice president for Advancement and then as the presidential special events coordinator at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. Lisa is a graduate of California State University in Los Angeles. She resides in Blacksburg and loves spending time with family, reading, hiking, and exploring Virginia.

CJ Cotten 

 CJ Cotten joined the commandant’s staff in November as the assistant recruiter. A 2025 graduate of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Cotten served as the VPI Battalion commander and Hotel Company commander during her senior year, and also as a teaching assistant for the Spring 2025 Global Scholars course. She most recently worked with preschool students as a teaching assistant in her hometown of Richmond. As the assistant recruiter, Cotten will work alongside the assistant commandant for recruiting and the commandant of cadets to promote the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, educate prospective cadets about the Corps, and ensure successful execution of the recruiting mission. She enjoys writing poems, reading, playing guitar, hiking, and making pottery.  

 Ellie Smith

Ellie Smith is our new museum manager. She recently completed a master's degree in public history at Middle Tennessee State University and comes to commandant’s staff from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, where she was a summer graduate research fellow. She also has a master's degree in theological studies from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in history and religious studies from Albright College. Her passions are history and education.

2nd Lt. Connor Christian

2nd Lt. Connor Christian ’25 joined the Corps staff in July while awaiting his start date for the Army’s Basic Officer Leader Course in 2026. He graduated with a degree in public health and was commissioned into the U.S. Army Chemical Corps in May.  During his senior year in the Corps, he served as the 3rd Battalion commander and later as the regimental executive officer. While on the commandant’s staff, Christian assisted the advancement, recruiting, and alumni teams by cataloging museum artifacts, attending college fairs, supporting alumni events, and awarding scholarships. In January, Christian will commence his Chemical Corps training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. 

2nd Lt. Aiden Estrella

2nd Lt. Aiden Estrella ’25 joined the Corps staff in July while awaiting his start date for the Army’s Basic Officer Leader Course in 2026. He graduated with a degree in political science and was commissioned into the U.S. Army Signal Corps in May.  During his senior year in the Corps, he served as the Charlie Company commander and later as the 1st Battalion commander. While on the commandant’s staff, Estrella assisted the advancement, recruiting, and alumni teams by cataloging museum artifacts, attending college fairs, supporting alumni events, and awarding scholarships. In January, Estrella will commence his Signal Corps training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.