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Ray Ayton Jones is the founder and CEO of The Jones Company of America a strategic management firm based in the U.S. and The Republic of Liberia. In this capacity, Mr. Jones provides executive leadership for the various strategic initiatives that support the mission of this international consulting organization. His activities include business development, brokering public/private partnerships and serves as an intermediary for Nation States on behalf of the company. The organization’s professional team has provided services within a number of global markets in the provision of nation building, trading, corporate partnership development, financial and business strategies, cultural/diversity training, marketing and public relations. Mr. Jones’ leadership is complimented by his extensive experience in the private and public sector accompanied by significant involvement in community and civic engagement. 

A native of Columbus, he is the son of an American father and an immigrant mother from Jamaica West Indies. He was raised in a culturally diverse household, entrepreneurial and politically active family environment where the emphasis was placed on faith. Mr. Jones, the former chairman of the Ohio Association of Minority Architects and Engineers, also served as principal and Executive Vice president for M-Engineering, Inc. one of Ohio's premier mechanical, electrical, structural, fire protection and telecommunication engineering consulting firms located in Central Ohio. Prior to that, Mr. Jones served as the Vice President of John E. Foster and Associates, Inc., a consulting civil engineering firm specializing in the plan and design of roadways, bridges, airport infrastructures, sanitary storm and water–related projects. Mr. Jones previously served as special assistant to the Treasurer of State, in this capacity; Mr. Jones assisted the treasurer by managing the Treasury's Department of Research, Program Development and Constituent Services. He spearheaded the development of the first comprehensive disaster relief and contingency plan for that office. Also, Mr. Jones served eight years as Special Assistant to Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, one of the most influential African Americans in the United States. A former healthcare executive, Mr. Jones is published in areas of healthcare, business and politics, and is currently nearing the completion of his book entitled, Going Beyond Your Expectations. His opinion, are sought on numerous community related issues by business and political leaders. 

Ray Ayton Jones has served as chief contract negotiator and chairman of the Cost Containment Committee for Saint Anthony Medical Center (now O.S.U. Hospital East). He also served as consultant to Children's Hospital of Columbus and in the capacity as a loaned healthcare executive to provide development and coordination to Member Product's, Inc., a for profit corporate arm of the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA). 

Mr. Jones has been significantly involved in several international ventures. Most recently, he served as part of a five member international U.S. delegation invited by Alianza Civica an internationally recognized non-profit civil society organization. During that time he attended a series of pre-electoral meetings where he learned about the socio-political history of Oaxaca; the concerns of possible violence during the electoral process and a lack of integrity and moral authority in the political process. The report which was developed and Press conference held by the delegation in Mexico city received international press coverage. While in the private sector, after meeting with South African Ambassador Franklin Sonn, Mr. Jones became the first business leader in the country chosen by the Center for Health Education and Economic Research (C.H.E.E.R., Inc.) to assist in a U.S. initiative inspired by South African President Nelson Mandela to send books valued at $30 million to South Africa. He serves as the advisor to the Somalia Community Association, which represents approximately 21,000 refugees from that country. In addition, he served as the senior advisor to the United African Women and Children's Organization of Ohio, consisting of women from various countries throughout the continent. 

Mr. Jones is Chairman of Nation Builder International Institute an organization that provides training in citizenship, and civic engagement for newly arrived vast number of refugees and immigrants living in United States. Public service has been a hallmark of Mr. Jones' life, starting with his coordination of grass roots campaign efforts and progressing to statewide and national political involvement and extensive fundraising. Because of his broad experience in state and national politics, he has served on a number of candidates' search and screening committees and has lent his experience to fast number of local, state, and national campaigns. 

Mr. Jones has served in various top-level positions for numerous candidates, public issue campaigns as well as the transition teams. Mr. Jones also, formerly served on the Ohio Business League, an advisory committee to former Governor George Voinovich (now a United States Senator), a task force established to advise the Governor on issues relating to economic opportunities for minorities within Ohio. In addition, he served as personal advisor to late Yolanda King, the daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. As one of the original founders, president and current board member of "Art For A Child's Safe America Foundation," Mr. Jones is concerned about the problem of violence in America that is taking the lives of 25,000 youth a year. He is spearheading the "Memorial to Our Lost Children," a touring exhibit that combines art and education to create a unique strength–based approach to mobilizing communities, families and individuals around the issue of violence prevention. 

Also, concerned about the 20 million people in our society who live in poverty, Mr. Jones served as Chairman of the Board of Columbus Metropolitan Area Community Action Organization whose mission was to fight the war against poverty. His dynamic community leadership additionally, was integral in many other community service organizations and business committees including: 

• Total Home Health Care (Trustee)
• The Columbus Zoo (Trustee) 
• Leadership Columbus (Trustee) 
• John XXIII Head Start (Trustee)

Additional Recognitions and Highlights: 
• U.S. Department of Health Service Award 

• YWCA Eldon W. Ward Branch 

  Man of the Year Award 

• State of Ohio Outstanding Community 

   Service Award 

• Columbus' Ten Most Outstanding 

   Young Men Award