James R. Jones

Ambassador James R. Jones is Co-Chairman of ManattJones.

Professional Experience
"Ambassador Jones’ practice focuses on international trade, investment and commerce, business-government relations and financial services. He also has worked extensively with global distribution and marketing organizations targeting Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

"Ambassador Jones currently provides business development advice and consulting for clients primarily in Mexico and Latin America. For example, he provides strategic advice to a multinational automobile manufacturer based in Asia and assisted it in entering the Mexico market. He works with major energy firms in Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador and Lithuania. He counseled a U.S. insurance company in its purchase of a privatized Mexican insurance company as well as a U.S.-Mexico joint venture to build a water-treatment project in Mexico. He is assisting a U.S.-based resort developer in establishing projects in Mexico and Latin America, and assisting a Class I U.S. railroad with investments in Mexico and Panama. Additionally, Ambassador Jones counsels clients on both business and government strategies in the United States.

"Prior to joining Manatt, Ambassador Jones served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico from 1993 to 1997, demonstrating leadership during the Mexican peso crisis and the passage and implementation of NAFTA, developing new, cooperative efforts to combat drug trafficking, and assisting U.S. businesses with commercial ventures.

"Ambassador Jones’ previous experience includes the position of President at Warnaco International and Chairman and CEO of the American Stock Exchange in New York from 1989 to 1993. During his tenure at AMEX, listings, revenues and market share increased.

"As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma (1973-1987), he was Chairman of the House Budget Committee and ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, where he was active in tax, international trade, Social Security and healthcare policy.

"Ambassador Jones was only 28 years old when President Lyndon Johnson selected him as Appointments Secretary, the position presently titled Chief of Staff. He was the youngest person in history to hold this position.

"Ambassador Jones also is a partner with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.


 * Former member, Independent Task Force on Columbia

Professional Memberships and Activities
Source
 * Director, Anheuser-Busch, 1997 to present.
 * Director, Kansas City Southern Railway, 1997 to present.
 * Director, Keyspan Energy Corporation, 1998 to present.
 * Director, Grupo Modelo, 1997 to present.
 * Director, San Luis Corporation, 1999 to present.
 * Director, Kaiser Family Foundation, 1997 to present.
 * Chairman, U.S.-Mexico Business Commission, 1997 to present.
 * National Chairman, World Affairs Councils of America, 2003 to present.
 * Chairman (nonexecutive) of GlobeRanger Corporation, a software logistics company, 1999 to present.
 * Chairman of Meridian International in Washington, D.C., 2001 to present.
 * Chairman of the International Business Council of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, 2000-2003.
 * Director, American Red Cross, 1997-2003.
 * Admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Oklahoma.
 * Member, the District of Columbia Bar Association, the Oklahoma Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Affiliations

 * Director of the Americas Society
 * Director, American Academy of Diplomacy
 * Trustee of the Meridian International Center
 * Chair, World Affairs Councils of America
 * Diplomatic Council, Global Heritage Fund
 * Director, American Council for Capital Formation
 * Council Member, US Asia Pacific Council