Chairman of the Board
General James L. Jones, USMC Ret
President and CEO, Institute for Energy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
General James L. Jones, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), is president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber Institute for 21st Century Energy. He is responsible for executing the Institute’s strategic mission of uniting energy stakeholders behind a common strategy to ensure that America’s energy supply is adequate, affordable, and secure while protecting the environment.
From July 1999 to January 2003, Jones was the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps. After relinquishing command as Commandant, he assumed the positions of Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) and Commander of the United States European Command (COMUSEUCOM), positions he held until December 2006. During this final assignment, he encouraged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to regard global energy as a security issue and advocated that the alliance consider the defense of critical infrastructures as a 21st century collective security mission. Jones retired from active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps on February 1, 2007, after more than 40 years of service.
Jones is a decorated combat veteran who commanded at all operational levels during his career. His focus during his most senior military assignments was on preserving the reputation of the United States as a nation of great influence in the 21st century. He brings passion and commitment for finding practical solutions to the energy problems facing the nation, and believes the Energy Institute will play a key role in influencing our national and international energy policy in a nonpartisan manner.
In addition to having been awarded national and international military awards, Jones received a bachelor of science degree (1966) and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters (2002) from Georgetown University. In June 1985, he graduated from the National War College in Washington, D.C.
Jones serves as chairman of three boards of directors. In addition, he serves on several boards representing both the business and national security sectors of the United States. At the request of the United States Congress, Jones recently chaired the Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq.
Jones is married to the former Diane Johnson of Bethesda, Maryland. They reside in McLean, Virginia, and have four children and seven grandchildren.
