Raymond C. Jones “a.k.a.” The Accelerator
time to Hand Wisdom Down and Help to Create New Legacies “RJ”
Raymond C. Jones affectionately referred to as “RJ,” is a living example of the definition of an Entrepreneur. RJ has decades of experience as a creator of best Practices and utilizer of existing ones in business strategies. He has distinguished himself in business consultancy as a result of the hundreds of organizations he served to accelerate in business. RJ is a past recipient of the Ernst& Young Entrepreneur Award one of the most prestigious Awards an Entrepreneur can attain and the SBA Administrator’s Award of Excellence. RJ has great Knowledge in business plan development, business restructuring , executive coaching, staffing Development and training. He established and provided the leadership in areas of Manufacturing, Logistics, Eatery industry and entertainment and has become known for accelerating the growth of existing business operations.
RJ, a product of the music industry has provided Executive Management of large scale and medium size entertainment establishments which combined live Entertainment food and spirits. Mr. Jones came into national acclaim when in 1980 he started Uni-Copy which was headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Uni-Copy Corporation was a $40 million a Year retail distributor of copier and facsimile machines. In 1983, Mr. Jones joined with his partners and made a leveraged buyout of Uni-Copy’s Dallas Division and established Advanced Image Systems, Inc., as a minority business. Mr. Jones has over a decade of experience in the copier Industry. With his expertise, He led Advance Image Systems, Inc. to become the Ninth Largest Revenue Producing RICOH Dealership in the United States. In 1989 Jones sold A.I.S to a London, England based company. After which, In March 1990,
Mr. Jones formed FABRICATED TECHNOLOGY, INC. and acquired the business and assets of an Irving, Texas based Manufacturer of military articles. The product line includes jet aircraft drag chute bags, pilot Survival vests, body bags, cargo webbing and military folding cots used in Operation Desert Storm. Hegrew the company from no contracts at acquisition to $4.2 million on its’ first year of Operation. Mr. Jones is an expert in restaurant and bar industry. With over 40 years of experience in the restaurant and bar industry, both as an Owner, Chief Executive, and Private Consultant, Mr. Jones’ experience is extensive to say the least. He has consulted for major hotels and restaurant chains, and also managed an extensive portfolio of restaurant chains for a New York based private equity fund. A Private Equity Fund that held a portfolio of restaurants chains located throughout the US and Canada. The Funds strategy was to partner with private restaurant Owners that held concepts with national franchising potential. The fund generated attractive Returns for its restaurant investors by acquiring restaurant chains and maximizing potential.
In additional consulting arrangements, Mr. Jones trained restaurant personnel on behalf of the City of Dallas regarding food preparation, safety procedures, hygiene, equipment use, and maintenance issues. He has also provided consulting services and had direct employment in Restaurant management positions for various corporations such as the: Double Tree Hotels (Consulting) Marriott International, Inc. (consulting) Planet Hollywood (consulting) Jet Rail Restaurant and Club, Love field National Airport, Dallas, TX (managed) Smokey Johns BBQ Restaurant chain (consulting) The Iguana Mirage (opened and operated, including organization, Hiring, firing, Training, marketing, menu selection, management of chefs, cooks, wait staff, etc.) The Peach Basket (opened and operated) Café Echelon Restaurant & Bistro (opened and Managed) Café Jazzmen’s Restaurant (managed during Atlanta Olympics) Mean Joe Green’s Peach Basket Restaurant (managed) RJ’s by the Lake Restaurant which was inducted into to the Night Club Hall of Fame (owned and managed) The Place Across the Street (managed) Taboo Bistro & Bar (opened and managed) Mirage Restaurant & Club (managed for bankruptcy trustee) Bistro Foods/Le Petit Bistro (consulting and National Director of Operations) * Pisces Seafood and Jazz (owned and operated) The Pearl Bistro and Bar (managed) Taboo2 Bistro and Bar (opened and managed) Karma Bistro (opened and managed) Consulted for or participated in management of dozens of additional restaurants.
RJ, has received numerous awards and recognition. In one year he had received every major national business award given to a small business. To this date no one has ever accomplished that. The following are just a few of the recognition for his business contribution and success. WHO’S WHO in Leading American Executives” awarded to Mr. Jones by Vincent J. Fittipaldi, Chairman of the Membership Committee, as an Honored Member for the U.S. Registry. High Spirited Citizen Award” awarded by the City of Irving to Fabricated Technology Inc. For its’ contribution to U.S. military troops engaged in OPERATION DESERT STORM. U.S. Department of Commerce/Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) National Director’s Appreciation Award” for Fabricated Technology recognizing the outstanding contributions and achievements in the service industry. Made during White House ceremonies with President George Bush and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Rob Mosbacher.”1991 U.S. Department of Commerce/Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Regional Service Firm of the Year” awarded by the Minority Business Development Agency to Fabricated Technology to recognize the contributions made by minority business entrepreneurs to the nation’s economy. “1991 U.S. Department of Commerce/Minority Business Development Center (Grant Thornton) Manufacturing Firm of the Year: awarded to Fabricated Technology by the Minority Business Development Center (MBDC) for the best minority manufacturing firm in Region 6.”1991 Most Distinguished Texas Award for Excellence in Business”.
Part of a statewide annual conference, Business Opportunity Symposium Series (BOSS ’91) sponsored by the Austin Metropolitan Business Resource Center, this award salutes successful small and minority-owned businesses. Defense Logistics Agency Operation Desert Storm Commendation” awarded by Colonel Charles W. McDonald, commander of the Defense Contract management Administration Operation, to only twelve businesses in a five state region, for their response to the Department of Defense’s accelerated needs and the professionalism and pride with which those needs were met. “1991 Excellence in Entrepreneurship” awarded by the National Black MBA Association, Dallas Chapter in recognition of Mr. Jones’ entrepreneurial achievements and appreciation for his many contributions to the community. NAACP Juanita Craft Award” is presented by Dallas Chapter of the NAACP and recognizes an individual or organization for their outstanding long-term civic and business contributions to the U.S. Department of Commerce/Minority Business Development Center (MBDC) Advocate of the Year”. This award recognizes an individual’s support in advocating minority business development in the Dallas/Ft. Worth community. Quest for Success Award Recipient”. This award is sponsored by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, the Dallas Morning News and Miller brewing Company and is given to outstanding Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas Black Entrepreneurs in tribute to their tenacious pursuit of business goals and the role models which they provide for young people. This is the beginning of a strong Network to Further Enhance the Minority Business Development in the Metro area.