Burns graduated from the University of Washington with BFA and MFA degrees in 1969 and 1971 respectively. He taught Art at the University of Washington from 1971 through 1973. During this period he established Pro Tec Company which developed the Hockey Mask, an item that did not exist as he discovered the National Hockey League rule book prohibited facial protection. The following year masks were required for all amateurs. This was a sign of his creative nature and his pursuit of creative ideas. Pro Tec produced bicycle helmets and sunglasses which eventually became a separate company, Gargoyles, in 1982. Gargoyles produced eyeglass wear with a highly impact resistant lens. He revolutionized an entire industry with the invention of the Toric lens, a shape that allowed light to transmit directly to the eye with wrap around protection. The Toric lens became so popular that the US Military became involved and Burns received national recognition from the US Army for his glasses and lens. Another award he received was the A & S Alumni Entrepreneurs Award from the University of Washington in 1996.

Burns also developed a wine bottle cork made of urethane compound. This synthetic cork eliminated the leakage common with bark cork as well as the mold in the cork itself. This would change the course of the wine industry and quality of the wine. His company Supreme Corq’s sales have skyrocketed as more wineries are using his corks. He received the prestigious Golden Grape Award from Food and Wine Magazine in 1998 for this invention and his “Pioneering Ingenuity”. He currently holds ten patents to his name as a result of his many great ideas and inventions.

In 1998 he and his son Jared established Revelry Vintners, a successful winery located in Walla Walla Washington. His entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen have led him to a very successful and outstanding career.