JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – House Speaker Todd Richardson will recognize the achievements and contributions of one of Missouri’s most successful businessmen and most dedicated conservation activists. Richardson will induct Edward “Ted” Jones into the Hall of Famous Missourians during a ceremony scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 9 at the State Capitol.
“Ted’s incredible success in the business world and his passion for preserving and sharing the natural beauty of our state make him a truly great Missourian worthy of this honor,” said Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff. “I am thrilled to be able to add him to the list of our famous Missourians who have helped shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of the people of the Show-Me State. Like the current members of the Hall, Ted Jones has made a lasting, positive impact on our state and our world.”
Born and raised in St. Louis, Jones was a visionary who recognized an opportunity in the financial services industry to serve individual investors throughout Missouri and across the United States. He created a branch office business model that set Edward Jones on the path to become a Fortune 500 firm with more than 12,000 branch offices serving 7 million clients across North America.
Jones also was an activist who recognized the potential to turn a 225-mile stretch of abandoned railroad into a magnificent state park. He was a generous donor and force behind the creation of the Katy Trail, which is now a segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the American Discovery Trail, and was inducted into the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. Because of his efforts, the trail now attracts 400,000 hikers, cyclists and joggers each year.
Jones will be the 45th inductee into the Hall of Famous Missourians. The Hall, which is located in the third floor rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol, includes bronze busts of all inductees, including famous Missourians such as Mark Twain, Walt Disney, and Susan Elizabeth Blow.
Who: House Speaker Todd Richardson and members of the Jones family
What: Induction ceremony and bust unveiling for Ted Jones
Where: House Chamber in the State Capitol
When: 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2015
