Gary Jones (Oklahoma politician)
Encyclopedia
Gary Jones is a United States
businessman and Republican
politician
from the U.S. state
of Oklahoma
. He is the current Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector
.
in 1978 with a Bachelor of Business Administration/Accounting degree. Jones is both a certified public accountant
and a certified fraud examiner
.
While in college, Jones worked for Southwestern Bell
. After 10 years Jones left to start his own telecommunications company, which he sold 16 years later. Jones has operated a cow-calf operation
for over 30 years in addition to his other ventures.
In 1994 Jones successfully ran for Comanche County
Commissioner, a seat he held for four years.
Prior to his successful 2010 bid for State Auditor and Inspector, Jones unsuccessfully sought the office in both 2002 and 2006, losing both times to Jeff McMahan. After the 2006 race, McMahan was subsequently indicted, convicted, and sent to prison for eight years for bribery and conspiracy involving a scheme to steal the 2002 election.
In 2003 he was named Chairman and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Republican Party
and held the office longer than anyone prior, until resigning to make his successful bid for State Auditor and Inspector.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. He is the current Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector
Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector
The Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector is the chief financial officer for the U.S. State of Oklahoma. The State Auditor and Inspector is responsible for overseeing and reviewing the financial accounts of all government agencies within Oklahoma....
.
Personal
Jones was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the fifth of seven children. He graduated from Cameron UniversityCameron University
Cameron University is a four-year, state-funded university located in Lawton, Oklahoma, that offers more than 50 degrees through two-year, four-year and graduate programs. The degree programs emphasize the liberal arts, science and technology and graduate and professional studies...
in 1978 with a Bachelor of Business Administration/Accounting degree. Jones is both a certified public accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
and a certified fraud examiner
Certified Fraud Examiner
The Certified Fraud Examiner is a credential awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners . The ACFE association is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education...
.
While in college, Jones worked for Southwestern Bell
Southwestern Bell
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T. It does business as AT&T Southwest and other d/b/a names in its operating region.The company is currently headquartered in Dallas, Texas at One AT&T Plaza.-History:...
. After 10 years Jones left to start his own telecommunications company, which he sold 16 years later. Jones has operated a cow-calf operation
Cow-calf operation
A cow-calf operation is a method of raising beef cattle in which a permanent herd of cows is kept by a farmer or rancher to produce calves for later sale. Cow-calf operations are one of the key aspects of the beef industry in the United States and some other countries. In the British Isles, a...
for over 30 years in addition to his other ventures.
In 1994 Jones successfully ran for Comanche County
Comanche County, Oklahoma
Comanche County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Built on former reservation lands of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache in Indian Territory, Comanche County was open for settlement on August 16, 1901 by lottery. The region has three cities and seven towns as well as the Fort Sill...
Commissioner, a seat he held for four years.
Prior to his successful 2010 bid for State Auditor and Inspector, Jones unsuccessfully sought the office in both 2002 and 2006, losing both times to Jeff McMahan. After the 2006 race, McMahan was subsequently indicted, convicted, and sent to prison for eight years for bribery and conspiracy involving a scheme to steal the 2002 election.
In 2003 he was named Chairman and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Republican Party
Oklahoma Republican Party
The Oklahoma Republican Party is a political party affiliated with the United States Republican Party . Along with the Oklahoma Democratic Party, it is one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics.-Voter base:...
and held the office longer than anyone prior, until resigning to make his successful bid for State Auditor and Inspector.