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Maurice Jones
Maurice Jones Official Portrait.gif
President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation
In office
2016–2020
Preceded by Michael Rubinger
16th Virginia Secretary of Commerce
In office
January 27, 2014 – September 6, 2016
Governor Terry McAuliffe
Preceded by Jim Cheng
Succeeded by Todd Haymore
8th United States Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
In office
April 18, 2012 – January 2014
President Barack Obama
Preceded by Ron Sims
Succeeded by Nani A. Coloretti
Personal details
Born
Maurice Antonia Jones

(1964-09-14) September 14, 1964 (age 60)
Mecklenburg, Virginia, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse Lisa Smith
Education Hampden-Sydney College (BA)
St John's College, Oxford (MPhil)
University of Virginia (JD)
Signature

Maurice Antonia Jones (born September 14, 1964) is a leader who has worked to create jobs and improve communities. He was the CEO of OneTen, a group of companies focused on creating many jobs for African Americans. Before that, he led the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, which helps develop communities across the country. He also served in the government as the Deputy Secretary of HUD and as Virginia's Secretary of Commerce.

Maurice Jones: Early Life and Education

Maurice Jones was born in 1964 in a rural area called Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He grew up on his grandparents' tobacco farm near a town called Kenbridge, Virginia.

Learning and Growing

Jones went to Hampden–Sydney College and earned a bachelor's degree in political science. He graduated with honors. After that, he received a special scholarship called a Rhodes scholarship. This allowed him to study at St. John's College, Oxford in England. He also studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law.

Working for the Government

Maurice Jones has held important roles in both the national and state governments.

Helping with Housing and Development

From 2012 to 2014, Jones served as the Deputy Secretary of HUD. HUD stands for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. This government department helps people find good housing and works to improve communities across the country.

Boosting Business in Virginia

After his time at HUD, Jones became the Secretary of Commerce for the state of Virginia. He worked in the cabinet of Governor Terry McAuliffe from 2014 to 2016. In this role, he focused on helping businesses grow and creating more jobs in Virginia.

Ras Baraka, Maurice A. Jones, Darren Walker
Maurice A. Jones (center) with Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, and Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation.

Leading Organizations to Create Opportunities

After his government service, Maurice Jones took on leadership roles in organizations that focus on community development and job creation.

Supporting Local Communities

From 2016 to 2020, Jones was the President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). LISC is a national organization that invests in communities. It helps build affordable housing, supports small businesses, and improves neighborhoods.

Creating Jobs for African Americans

More recently, Jones became the CEO of OneTen. This is a group of companies that have joined together with an important goal. They aim to create one million jobs for African Americans by the end of the 2020s. These jobs do not require a four-year college degree.

Future Considerations

In November 2020, Maurice Jones was considered for the role of United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Biden administration. However, he was not chosen for that position.

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