Bill Jones, Chairman
Bill Jones of Austin received his undergraduate degree in business management from Texas A&M University. While at Texas A&M, Mr. Jones was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He received the Outstanding Freshman in the Corps of Cadets award, was a member of the prestigious Ross Volunteers Honor Guard and achieved the rank of First Brigade Commander. Mr. Jones earned his juris doctor from Baylor University School of Law where he was a member of the National Order of Barristers, a Moot Court Champion and a member of the National Mock Trial Team.
After graduation, Mr. Jones joined the law firm of Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P. (now known as Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP) for six years, then nine years with Cash Jones, L.L.P., formerly known as Cash, Jones & Springhetti, L.L.P., including trial and appellate work in state and federal courts of all levels involving complex business, contract, banking, oil and gas, construction, real property, products liability, personal injury, insurance policy, and lender liability litigation. In December of 2000,
Mr. Jones moved to Austin and served as the General Counsel to the Office of the Governor for Governor Rick Perry until November 2003. From November 2003 to December 2005, he was a partner with Locke Liddell & Sapp, LLP in Austin practicing in government relations and commercial litigation. Currently, he is a partner with the law firm of Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P. in Austin practicing in public law.
Mr. Jones has been active with bar and community activities including serving as the 1996-97 President of the 20,000 member Texas Young Lawyers Association. As Texas Young Lawyers Association President, Mr. Jones also served on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors Executive Committee. He is serving, or has served, as a member of several other boards including the Baylor Law School Alumni Association Executive Board, Texas A&M Former Students Association Board, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System Foundation Board, Capitol Area Boy Scouts of America Board, Legacy Society Board, Texas Public Policy Foundation Board, Memorial Hermann Continuing Care Board, and Memorial Hermann Public Policy Advisory Group. Mr. Jones was named the Baylor Young Lawyer of the Year in 1997 by the Baylor University School of Law. He was selected as Texas Super Lawyer (Top 5%) in 2005, 2006, and 2007 and was featured in the cover story in ABA Journal January 1995, Small Firm Big Clients.
Mr. Jones was appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Rick Perry in 2003. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 2007 and served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 2005
until 2007. Mr. Jones serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Academic and Student Affairs Committee, and Buildings and Physical Plant Committee. He serves as the Board’s liaison to the Texas A&M University Association of Former Students and chairs the Herman F. & Minnie Belle Heep Texas A&M University Foundation. His term expires February 1, 2009.
Revised 04/11/2008