JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Less than one year after departing from the Governor’s Office to accept a new role with Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC), former state representative Caleb Jones is moving on up.
This week, AMEC announced that Jones has been named as the next Assistant CEO, and will assume the position of CEO upon Barry Hart’s retirement January 6. Hart served Missouri’s Cooperatives for more than 15 years as CEO.
“I’m pleased to be leading such a great team,” Jones says of his new role. “The electric cooperatives have a great reputation for trustworthiness and they work hard to raise the quality of life for rural people. I look forward to using my skills for the benefit of electric cooperative members statewide and am excited to make sure our members at the end of the line continue to receive the reliable and affordable electricity they deserve.”
Jones first joined AMEC in the fall of 2017 after leaving his position as deputy chief of staff for then-Gov. Eric Greitens.
Prior to that, Jones served in the Missouri House of Representatives, dating back to 2011. The Republican practiced law in Columbia, and he has worked in Washington D.C. for U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, and in the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Bush administration. He also worked on the 2004 Bush/Cheney campaign.
In the Missouri House, Jones represented parts of Boone, Cole, Moniteau and Cooper Counties, and ran unopposed in his last three elections. As one of the leading figures in the House, he was often referred to as the “most well-connected person”, and at one point ran for House Speaker, while also serving as the chairman of the General Laws committee.
During his tenure, he helped the electric cooperatives by supporting a bill that made it easier to increase reliability by clearing right of way and by opposing a tax increase that would have increased the cost of electricity for electric co-op members.
“I’m excited about the Board’s selection of Caleb Jones to succeed me as CEO of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives upon my retirement in January after 42 years of work,” Hart said. “He is a great leader, respected by many Missouri leaders and most importantly understands issues affecting rural Missourians. He believes in the cooperative principles and is dedicated to representing the member/owners at the end of the line that own their electric cooperative. Keeping electricity affordable and reliable for co-op members and improving quality of life in rural Missouri will be his priority!”
Jones resides in Columbia with his wife Lindsey, son Max, and daughter Charleston. He is the son of former state Rep. Kenny Jones and the late Pam Jones.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
