State Senator Rick Jones was elected to the Michigan Senate in November 2010 to represent the residents of the 24th District, which includes Allegan, Barry and Eaton counties.

EDUCATION

Jones received a Bachelor's Degree from Michigan State University and Executive Leadership Training from Central Michigan University. He received further training from the F.B.I. (Executive Leadership Training), the U.S. Department of Treasury (Crisis Management Training), and the U.S. Department of Justice (Correctional Leadership Training).

PROFESSIONAL

Rick Jones was elected by his new Senate colleagues as Majority Caucus Chair. He will serve as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, vice-chair of both the Senate’s Regulatory Reform and Redistricting committees, and as a member of the Senate Energy & Technology Committee and the Senate Health Policy Committee.

Jones began service in the Legislature after being elected in 2004 to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2004 representing residents of Eaton County in the 71st District. He was reelected in 2006 and 2008. While in the House, Jones served on the House’s Judiciary and Regulatory Reform committees and as minority vice-chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee.

Prior to his election to the House, Jones worked 33 years in law enforcement, serving more than 30 years with the Eaton County Sheriff Department. He started as a deputy and worked his way up through the ranks as sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before being elected sheriff in 2000.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND AFFILIATIONS

Jones volunteers with Eaton Community Hospice, delivers Meals-On-Wheels to shut-ins, and volunteers with Area 8 Special Olympics. He is a 12-gallon donor with the Red Cross and a fundraising-events volunteer for Woldumar Nature Center. Jones was a construction volunteer for the Imagination Station and Playground of Dreams, community playgrounds in Potterville and Eaton Rapids.

He is a member of Grand Ledge Rotary, American Legion S.A.L Post 42, and Eaton County Farm Bureau. Jones has also been an active participant in charity events- Crop Walk, Relay for Life, and Walk for Warmth.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Rick Jones has been awarded the Service to Children Award from the Eaton County Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council, the "Very Involved Person" Award from the Greater Lansing 100 Club for volunteer work, as well as appreciation awards from the Dimondale Lions, the Olivet Rotary, and the American Legion. He received the Charlotte Community Excellence Award for volunteer work from the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. He was also awarded Eaton County Sheriff's Award for Bravery.

PERSONAL

Rick has been married for 36 years to Charlene. They have two children, Kate and Charlie, and four grandchildren. They live in Grand Ledge, where they are active members of the Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church.