Jerral Wayne “Jerry” Jones: Arkansas Business Hall of Fame
Jerral Wayne "Jerry" Jones
Owner, President and General Manager
Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Inc.
Arlington, Texas
While at the University of Arkansas, Jerry Jones was a Razorback football starter and co-captain when the team won the national championship in 1964. In 1971, the North Little Rock native founded Jerry Jones Oil & Gas Co. and continues today to serve as its president and CEO. In 1989 in a downturn economy, Jones purchased the floundering Dallas Cowboys and Texas Stadium for $140 million. He designated himself as general manager and became a "hands-on" owner. In 1993, the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl in 15 seasons. In 1994, they appeared in their seventh Super Bowl, becoming only the fifth NFL team to win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. They again captured Super Bowl XXX in 1996.
Jones' innovations in the areas of marketing, corporate sponsorships and stadium management have left an imprint on professional sports. He designates the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day game to kick off the Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle Drive. The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities are known for their generosity to many other family- and community-related causes. The Walton College gave Jones its Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.