Theodore A. Jones
Encyclopedia
Theodore A. Jones was a leading insurance industry figure who held important positions within both the public and private sectors.
on November 14, 1912. In 1933, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in accounting and economics. He went on to become only the third African American to become a CPA
in Illinois
.
, the latter a trade organization representing 48 black-owned and operated insurance companies.
In the early 1960s, Jones was appointed by President John F. Kennedy
to the Federal Committee on Equal Opportunity in Housing. President Lyndon B. Johnson
appointed him as Midwest Great Lakes Regional Director of the Federal Anti-Poverty Program.
From 1963 to 1971, he served as a trustee for his alma mater
, the University of Illinois.
Jones also served as director of the Illinois Department of Revenue
and as general manager of radio station WGRT (later WJPC) in Chicago.
Background
Jones was born in Pueblo, ColoradoPueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States....
on November 14, 1912. In 1933, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in accounting and economics. He went on to become only the third African American to become a CPA
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...
in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
Career
He served as executive vice president of Supreme Life Insurance Company of America and went on to serve as president of the National Insurance AssociationNational Insurance Association
The National Insurance Association is the largest organization representing African American owned and operated insurance companies.-History:...
, the latter a trade organization representing 48 black-owned and operated insurance companies.
In the early 1960s, Jones was appointed by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
to the Federal Committee on Equal Opportunity in Housing. President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
appointed him as Midwest Great Lakes Regional Director of the Federal Anti-Poverty Program.
From 1963 to 1971, he served as a trustee for his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, the University of Illinois.
Jones also served as director of the Illinois Department of Revenue
Illinois Department of Revenue
The Illinois Department of Revenue is a cabinet-level department of the state government of Illinois. It is headquartered in the state capital of Springfield...
and as general manager of radio station WGRT (later WJPC) in Chicago.