Some of the most accomplished individuals become so by embracing challenge, as is the case with Milton Jones, newly elected (and first African American) Board Chair of GreyStone Power Corporation – a major utility company in the Atlanta Metro Area. Can we say trailblazer? Jones is living proof that it is possible to succeed, if you have the willingness to work for it.
Jones started life in Augusta, Georgia, in a shotgun house with no running water or electricity. The young Jones dared to dream. As he looks back on his life’s journey, his dreams have served him—well.
Number eight of 11 children, he attributes his success to his parents’ spirit of excellence and determination to teach their children a pattern for success. Jones grew up feeling loved, protected and provided for. “I didn’t know we were poor, because we were happy,” he remembers. Jones loved books, which he used to feed his mind. He could travel to a world full of wonder and opportunity.
“My Father taught me, my most important lesson—what it means to be a real man: a real man, a father, provides for, supports, protects, and is there for his family. These values have positively served me in every area of my life.”
Jones started college at 16 on an early-entrant scholarship. Instead, he believes the Lord led him from college specifically to the Marine Corps. He served for four years, completing extensive technical training that led directly to his later civilian career. While serving with the Marine Air Wing, he deployed at sea in the Atlantic and Caribbean, and later to the Western Pacific with Marine Ground Forces, serving on Okinawa and in Vietnam. As a Marine Sergeant he served at the Khe Sanh Combat Base, site of some of the most written-about battles of the Vietnam War.
On returning from Vietnam, he married his life-long friend and now wife of 49 years, Barbara, moved to Atlanta, and began a career. After 33 years in Information Technology and Training with IBM, he completed a number of other IT and Training engagements, including eight years with Greenway Health, a Healthcare IT leader based in Carrollton.
In 2005, Jones was elected as a member of the Board of GreyStone Power. He recalls when he was in the 4th grade and electricity came to his home in Augusta. As a boy enthralled by the linemen, he practiced his pole climbing skills on the front porch of his house, but after “gaffing out” realized he wasn’t going to be great at it.
“Most people today cannot remember a time when they couldn’t flip a switch on the wall to get light, but I remember well studying from the light of a kerosene lamp,” reflects Jones. He didn’t grow up to be a lineman, but he has literally climbed his way to the top in the electricity sector, where in 2016 he was elected to serve as GreyStone’s Board Chair. Through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), he earned certifications for Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD), the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC), and the Director Gold Credential (GOLD), awarded to less than 25 percent of EMC Directors nationally.
Jones also has a passion for serving Veterans, which he pursues as a member of the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association. During 2015, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, he led events to have the Vietnam War Certificate of Honor presented to more than 150 Vietnam-Era Veterans, both in the GreyStone Power service area and the East Point community. He volunteers with Hire Heroes USA, assisting transitioning service members to transform their military service to civilian success He also serves as a Mentor in Fulton County Veterans Court, which aims to keep veterans on track.
An Executive MBA graduate at Georgia State University, Jones earned his Master of Business Administration degree in 1992. He taught for nine years as part-time Instructor of Management in GSU’s Robinson College of Business. He serves actively in his community and as a Deacon at First Baptist Church East Point.
In our opinion, this amazing story is one of many… many who dared to dream and fight for more, fight for better. Milton Jones is a man who saw what he wanted to achieve, and embraced the odds rather than run from them. What will you do?
“I didn’t know we were poor, because we were happy,” happiness is the key to success.
Pleased to be seeing people of different ethnic backgrounds using their platform to inspire a generation. Great article.