J. Preston Jones, Ph.D., surrounds himself with a collection of eagles. He said he identifies with the eagle because it represents strength, courage, and the determination to live, yet, is a very caring, nurturing and majestic animal.
“The eagle is an affirmation and symbolism of how to live and aspire for greater heights,” Jones said.
Jones, executive associate dean of Academic Affairs and assistant professor at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business, has devoted his life and career to demonstrating the meaning of one’s choices in life and how they can have either a positive or negative impact on one’s life.
Jones came from humble beginnings. The oldest of five children, he was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., and his mother, a single parent, moved to Gary, Ind., when he was five years old. Jones said his mother was a very loving, caring and strong woman. He said she and his extended relatives constantly surrounded him with love.
In elementary school, Jones was involved in many activities including playing baseball, singing in the church choir, and being a cub scout. At 10 years old, he recognized the value of hard work by shoveling snow and delivering newspapers to help his mother with their household finances.
Jones attended Gary Lou Wallace High School, where he met the first of many mentors. Randall C. Morgan, a drugstore owner and pharmacist, hired Jones after he graduated from high school. That was his introduction to the business world where Jones said he learned to reject the possibility of mediocrity.
After that, he received his bachelor’s in electrical engineering in 1974 from Purdue University. He went on to work for Johnson & Johnson for 15 years and held various executive-level positions there. One of his proudest achievements with the company was building a $30 million Tylenol Manufacturing Facility in Puerto Rico.
In 1987, Jones moved to Florida to start a family and pursue his master’s in business administration. In that transition, he established his own company, a wholesale electrical distribution company. After five years, he sold the business and pursued a career in education.
In 1992, Bob Preziosi, Ph.D., professor at the Huizenga School, became another of Jones’ mentors and an instrumental part of his career. Preziosi hired Jones as an adjunct professor, and Jones chose to reinvent himself with this opportunity. He thanks and credits his success at NSU to an amazing group who recognize talent, potential and hard work such as Preziosi, the late Norma Gardner, Chancellor Ray Ferrero Jr., Steven Harvey, and Randolph Pohlman, former dean of the Huizenga School.
In 1995, Jones received his doctorate in business administration and was asked to run the MBA program at the Huizenga School. He became the executive associate dean of Academic Affairs in 1999. Jones accomplishments continue.
In December, he was appointed by former Gov. Charlie Crist to join the Florida Research, Technology, and Scholarship Board.
Jones faced his challenges with a positive attitude, a desire for excellence, and an expectation of success. Jones said mediocrity is unacceptable, the truth works, and we should all seek to understand before we are understood.
“The truth works,” he said. “When faced with difficult situations, maintaining your integrity is key. It brings about respect and honor, and there is no substitute for that.”
