On Thursday, Aug. 16, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners unanimously appointed Leon Jones, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, to serve a four year term on the Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees.

A retired veteran of the United States Armed Forces, Chief Jones was elected to the highest political position of the Eastern Band of Cherokee in September 1999. He is the first elected official who has served in all three branches of Tribal government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial). He has served as chairman of the Cherokee Children’s Home Board, postmaster of the Cherokee Post Office, manager of Cherokee Tribal Bingo, member of the Gaming Certification Commission, board member of Friends of the Smokies, chairman of the Cherokee Central School Board, appointed Magistrate of the Court, and represented Wolftown Community on the Tribal Council. Among his many accomplishments while in office are a number of building improvement projects on the reservation. He has also been involved in the institution of an employee retirement plan, the compacting of the Cherokee Indian Hospital, and the expansion of gaming on the reservation. A graduate of Blanton’s Business College, Chief Jones is married to the former Janice Allison of Cherokee and they reside in the Wolftown Community.

Chief Jones will be the third Principal Chief of the Eastern Band to serve on the college’s Board of Trustees. Principal Chief Walter Jackson served as a founding member of the SCC Board of Trustees from January 1968 until 1971. His appointment was followed by Chief Noah Powell from 1971?1973. Tribal member Mary Jane Ferguson also served nine years on the Board from 1987-1996.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Chief Jones and grateful for the chief’s interest in serving on the SCC Board of Trustees,” said Dr. Cecil Groves, President of Southwestern Community College. “I look forward to working with him in ensuring that Southwestern continues to offer an affordable, quality education to the citizens of our service area.”