SMART BOARD SELECTS HAYES JONES AS NEW GENERAL MANAGER
May 29, 2007 Detroit, MI – Today, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) Board of Directors voted unanimously in its selection of Hayes W. Jones as the new General Manager to replace the retiring Dan G. Dirks. A special Board of Directors Meeting was held at the SMART Administrative Offices in Detroit.
Hayes Jones has over 40 years of government and private business sector experience. Recently, Hayes Jones served a partial term as the Democratic State Representative in the 29th District. He also was the Director of Oakland County’s Economic Development and Community Affairs and the senior advisor for Automation Alley.
“Hayes brings a unique set of skills and experience that will be invaluable in the role of General Manager,” said Matthew Wirgau, Chairman SMART Board of Directors, “His experience in the private sector, transportation and Michigan State Legislature will be beneficial as SMART continues its success in obtaining the State and Federal funds it needs to continue operating quality transit service.”
Early in his career Hayes Jones taught school in Detroit, but left his post when appointed by Mayor Jerome P. Cavanaugh to the Youth Employment Project, a program organized to train high school graduates in employable skills. In 1968, Jones also was appointed by Mayor John Lindsay as New York’s first Recreation Commissioner. Locally, Jones has had various management positions with Stroh’ Brewery Company, Pro Air Inc. and American Airlines. He has been a board member of several organizations including the Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce, Pontiac School District, Pontiac Area Urban League and Chairman of the Economic Development Committee-Oakland Business Roundtable. He is an honorary chair of the 2007 and 2008 Michigan Senior Olympics. Hayes Jones holds an Olympic Gold Medal for the 110-meter hurdles from the 1964 games in Tokyo, Japan and an Olympic Bronze Medal in the same event in the 1960 games in Rome, Italy.
The SMART Board also recommended the appointment of Steven M. Brown to serve in the previously unfilled position as Deputy General Manager. Steven Brown is the Director of Administration – Public Health for Wayne County, current part time Mayor of Lincoln Park and was a former SMART Board member.
“Working thirty plus years at SMART I have developed a great fondness for the organization and its employees,” said Dan Dirks, SMART General Manager, “It is gratifying to know I am leaving the agency in the hands of two very capable people who should move SMART forward.”
The SMART Board of Directors consists of two members from Macomb, Oakland, Wayne counties and one member from Monroe County. SMART is the suburban transit system for Southeast Michigan providing 12 million rides annually for commuters, entry level workers, senior citizens and people with disabilities.
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