ARLINGTON, VA November 10, 2008 - PBS President and Chief Executive Officer Paula A. Kerger has announced the appointment of Michael D. Jones, J.D., to the position of Chief Operating Officer of PBS. Until his retirement earlier this year, Mr. Jones was the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA, formerly NASD - the National Association of Securities Dealers), the largest non-governmental regulator for securities firms in the United States. He was also a member of the organization's Management Committee and served as President of its Foundation.
At FINRA, Mr. Jones was responsible for all day-to-day internal operations and business affairs, reporting directly to the Chairman and Chief Executive. Mr. Jones provided strategic and operational oversight of FINRA real estate, internal audit, purchasing, conferences, corporate travel, telecommunications, and affinity groups worldwide. In addition, his management responsibilities included supervision of human resources, security administration, corporate communications, government affairs, and the office of individual investor services, which he established. He was also a member of the FINRA strategic team examining corporate governance issues.
As PBS' COO, Mr. Jones will work closely with Ms. Kerger to ensure that all PBS services and activities are strategically aligned with the organization's vision and mission and that resources are allocated effectively to meet financial objectives, system priorities, and marketplace challenges and opportunities. Mr. Jones will join the PBS staff on Monday, January 5. He succeeds Wayne Godwin, who is retiring after more than 40 years of service to public broadcasting, including the past eight years at PBS, first as Executive Vice President, Member Services, and, since 2002, as Chief Operating Officer.
"We are delighted to have found in Michael a person with exceptional credentials in leadership, management, and communications," said Ms. Kerger. "With his broad experience and proven record of success, he will help us to maximize our potential to serve our members and the American people. His inclusive approach and skill at strategic planning will be key assets to the PBS executive team."
"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to take on the role of COO at such a respected organization as PBS," said Mr. Jones. "At a time of great change in the media landscape, the organization's sterling track record of excellence and service, as well as its exceptional leadership, make it uniquely positioned to serve the public in a greatly expanded capacity. I am fully committed to the effective and efficient use of the resources needed to fulfill this commitment to growth, and I look forward to working with Paula and the organization's outstanding management team."
Prior to joining NASD in 1996, Mr. Jones was Deputy Director/Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Public Affairs, Policy Evaluation and Research. In that position, he provided counsel and served as spokesperson.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Jones served two of the U.S. Senate's leading members, Senators Bill Bradley of New Jersey and Edward Brooke of Massachusetts - and also served as the spokesperson and political advisor for Presidential candidate John Anderson, congressman from Illinois.
Mr. Jones served as a public affairs counselor with one of the nation's largest public relations firms, Burson-Marsteller in New York, and as national director of public relations for the March of Dimes. He was also a partner in the Washington, DC law firm of Hayes & White, where he specialized in communications, corporate, and general litigation law.
Mr. Jones received his bachelor's degree from Boston College, where he was selected as a Scholar of the College, and earned his J.D. degree from Boston College Law School. He is a member of the Bars of the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Active in community affairs, Mr. Jones has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Boston College, the Board of Advisors of Boston College Law School, and the Board of Directors of JumpStart. He has also served as President of the Alliance for Investor Education.
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