A Warner Robins entrepreneur and Fort Valley State alum was recently appointed as chair of a national fundraising drive to raise scholarship funds at his alma mater.
 
Jarius Jones, owner of All-Star Barbers and the FRESH Sneaker Boutique, was recently appointed as chair of the FVSU Tom Joyner Foundation "School of the Month" Drive. The FVSU Foundation, Inc. also named Jones as a newest member of its board of directors as an alumni representative.
 
Jones, an Albany, Ga. native, is a 2001 FVSU graduate with a bachelor's degree in business. He also holds a 2007 master's of business degree from Albany State University.
 
As chair of TJF "School of the Month" drive, Jones will encourage financial support of the national fundraising drive created by radio icon Tom Joyner. Joyner's charitable nonprofit assists students in financial need at historically black colleges and universities across the nation through a partnership with the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Radio Show.
 
FVSU has been named one of the two "Schools of the Month" for November 2013. The other school is Albany State University.
 
As a selected school, FVSU will be promoted by the Tom Joyner Morning Show and receive funds raised from listeners, alumni and other interested parties in November for student scholarships. Every week in November, the foundation also will award a $1,500 Hercules Scholarship to a qualified male student.
 
Jones said he was excited to serve as chair of the fundraising initiative.
 
"I'm honored to be a part of this worthwhile initiative because it will mean so much for FVSU's students," Jones said. "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure this campaign is a success and I'm asking all FVSU's supporters and alums to join me in this important effort. Together, we can all make a tremendous impact."  

After college, Jones worked with the Robins Air Force Base as a cost analyst, responsible for estimating and providing financial oversight of more than $600 million gross various platforms. Jones has also worked as a contractor, and as a civilian employee in Warner Robins.
 
In addition to his professional duties, Jones has launched several business ventures, including the All-Star Barbers in Warner Robins, Ga, which opened in 2007 and the FRESH Sneaker Boutique.  
 
Jones also participates on several community boards and volunteers with the Boys' and Girls' Club.  
 
The FVSU alum is a member of Beulahland Bible Church, located in Warner Robins. He is married to Dr. Melanie Shorter Jones, a Warner Robins Family Medicine physician, and has three kids.