The International Economic Development Council honored LISC president and CEO Maurice A. Jones with its top award this week, in recognition of LISC’s work to promote inclusive growth and economic development under his leadership. “Jones’s work has greatly enhanced the economic prosperity and quality of life for individuals and businesses in the communities his organization serves,” said the Craig Richard, the Council’s board chair.
Maurice A. Jones Receives Institutional Leadership Award from the International Economic Development Council
WASHINGTON, DC (October 1, 2018) – Maurice A. Jones President and CEO Local Initiatives Support Corporation, received the Institutional Leadership Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Monday, October 1, during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held September 29 - October 3, in Atlanta, Georgia.
“On behalf of the IEDC board of directors and Honorary Awards Committee, we congratulate Maurice for achieving this well-deserved recognition. His work has greatly enhanced the economic prosperity and quality of life for individuals and businesses in the communities his organization serves. We can all aspire to emulate his successes and create meaningful changes in our own communities.”-Craig Richard, CEcD, FM, President and CEO, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation located in Tampa, Florida, and 2018 IEDC Board Chair.
The Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a leader of a community institution who has significantly contributed to his or her region in support of economic development.
In his commitment to improving standards of living in the U.S., particularly in marginalized communities, Maurice A. Jones has become a steadfast leader in both government and inclusive economic development. After growing up on a tobacco farm in a small Virginia town, Mr. Jones was awarded a full merit scholarship to Hampden-Sydney College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1986 as a Rhodes Scholar. He holds a master’s degree in international relations from Oxford University and a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School, and he has worked hard throughout his career to make sure others are also given opportunities to succeed.
Mr. Jones became the fourth President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in September 2016. LISC works with urban and rural partners across the U.S. through its local offices, in order to find the best ways to improve access to economic opportunities and growth. As part of the community support it offers, LISC provides capital, programs, services and expertise for local initiatives. Since 1979, LISC has invested a total of $18.6 billion with a result of $56 billion in total development. LISC is already expanding into new markets under Mr. Jones – in May 2018, it was announced that LISC’s 35th office has found a home in Atlanta, Georgia.
Under Mr. Jones’ direction, LISC has increased focus on inclusive growth and economic development. His leadership has also led to the development of the new “Catalyzing Opportunities in America’s Neighborhoods” framework, which gathers a large network of partnerships with the goal of employing the available tools to build equity and growth. With the framework, Mr. Jones and LISC hope to assist in building and repositioning physical infrastructure, fostering robust and accessible entrepreneurial ecosystems, and developing talent through training.
Mr. Jones has proven himself to be both a gifted leader and an experienced policy expert. Directly prior to his work at LISC, he managed thirteen state agencies centered on supporting economic growth during his role as Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Jones assisted in bringing workforce development to the forefront with the creation of a workforce task force and a collaborative workforce plan that was brought to the Department of Labor. He also helped close a number of deals for the Commonwealth, including bringing Stone Brewing to Richmond, locating the global headquarters of the Corporate Executive Board in Arlington, and restoring Carnival Cruise service to Norfolk as well as Air China service to Dulles Airport.
Before this, he served in several notable positions such as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While working at HUD, the Community Development Block Grant Program and Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program reported to Mr. Jones. Prior to his time at HUD, he was the publisher of the Virginian Pilot, and in volunteer capacities he served as Chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance.
Mr. Jones also served at the Treasury Department during the Clinton Administration. During this time, he helped manage a then new federal program called the Community Development Financial Institutions fund, which has grown since then to be an important support to nonprofits bolstering their communities.
Mr. Jones’ wealth of experience shines through his dedicated work at LISC and will continue to be key in the organization’s work towards inclusive economic growth. In recognition of this, the International Economic Development Council is honored to present the 2018 Institutional Leadership Award to Maurice A. Jones.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world's largest membership organization for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Learn more at iedconline.org.