Upon graduation, Dwayne Jones, Eta Omicron/Northwestern State 1996, joined the International Headquarters staff as a Leadership and Education Consultant traveling for one year through the Northeast and Midwest Regions. The next year he moved to the position of Director of Chapter Operations – working with the Leadership Education Committee planning the Fraternity’s Leadership Events, Conventions and Chapter Leadership Conferences – a position that helped prepare him for a career in Event Management and Production.
In the summer of 2000, Jones moved to Los Angeles, CA and has since worked in the Special Events industry and has cultivated an impressive resume with positions at Universal Studios Hollywood, the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Academy of Country Music, Hollywood and Highland Center and Kodak Theatre. He also worked for Jet Set Sports, an Official Olympic Hospitality Provider, for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Since then, he has worked every Olympics – eight total, the 2014 World Cup Program in Brazil, and hospitality programs for the US Open, The Masters, the Paralympics, the Youth Olympic Games and the 2011 Special Olympics World Games in Athens, Greece. Most recently, Brother Jones has accepted the position of Vice President of Special Events and Entertainment for the Special Olympic World Games Los Angeles 2015.
“In addition to overseeing the receptions and marketing events leading up to the Special Olympics World Games, I will be responsible for the execution of the Games-time programs including two Special Olympics Festivals to be held on the USC and UCLA campuses, Special Events and Receptions for Sponsors and Honored Guests as well as Fan Experience and Sport Production engagement opportunities throughout the games,” said Jones. “The position will give me the opportunity to manage a team that exists to provide awareness and education on the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities through festive and engaging events that support and encourage the 7,000 athletes from 177 countries competing in these games. It really is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games,” he added.
Being a member of the Organizing Committee for the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 means that Jones’ responsibilities technically conclude following the games next year – July 25-August 2, 2015.
“Although the position has a definitive end date, it was too great an opportunity to pass up,” said Jones. “The reputation that precedes the Special Olympics as a world-class non-profit coupled with my love for Los Angeles and the opportunity to showcase our city’s many offerings made this a ‘no-brainer’ on my part,” he said. “This position also affords me the opportunity to work with an incredible collection of talented leaders spanning the political, entertainment, sports and corporate fields who make up the LA 2015 Leadership. If there is not an opportunity to continue on with Special Olympics following the games, any number of other opportunities may present themselves as a result of my involvement with this event,” Jones continued.
When asked how his Theta Chi experience has had an impact on his life today, Jones had this to say.
“Becoming a member of Theta Chi Fraternity completely changed my college experience and really helped to define the person I am today. I grew up in a small town in Louisiana with a somewhat limited view of the world; but the Fraternity provided me with a place to belong during my college years and the opportunity, for the first time, to interact and work with brothers from different backgrounds and with different views. I learned a great deal about leadership and decision-making through my involvement in Theta Chi that has helped me in every part of my life after graduation,” said Jones. “I also learned a lot about philanthropy and the power of giving back to the community and extending the helping hand wields. The opportunity to work for the International Headquarters only furthered my education as I visited chapters across the country and witnessed that, although we shared a common set of ideals and enthusiasm for the Fraternity; every chapter was different and every member had his own unique fraternity experience. I have had some incredible opportunities and experiences in the 18 years since I graduated and Theta Chi has, in more ways than I can put into words, prepared me for and made me appreciate each one even more,” Jones said.