Byron Todd Jones (born May 23, 1957) is an American lawyer who was the seventh director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and was the chief disciplinary officer of the National Football League (NFL).[2][3] He twice served as United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota.[4]
Todd Jones | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 7th Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | |
| In office August 31, 2011 – March 31, 2015 Acting: August 31, 2011 – July 31, 2013 | |
| Nominated by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Kenneth Melson (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Brandon (Acting) |
| U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota | |
| In office August 7, 2009 – August 24, 2013 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Rachel Paulose |
| Succeeded by | Andrew M. Luger[1] |
| In office May 1998 – January 2001 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | David Lillehaug |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Heffelfinger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 23, 1957 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Margaret Samanant |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Macalester College (BA) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Unit |  1st Marine Division |
Early life and education
edit
Jones attended Wyoming High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.[5] He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Macalester College in 1979 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1983.[citation needed]
Career
editAfter his schooling, Jones joined the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to serve as an infantry officer with the 1st Marine Division. Jones later became a judge advocate as both a trial defense counsel and prosecutor. He left active duty in 1989. From 1992 to 1994 and 1997 to 1998, Jones served as an assistant U.S. Attorney.[6]
ATF
editJones became acting director of the ATF on August 31, 2011, following the resignation of Kenneth E. Melson in the aftermath of the ATF gunwalking scandal.[7]
On January 16, 2013, U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Jones to serve as permanent director of the ATF. Due to opposition from gun rights lobbies, the ATF had not had a permanent director since the position was made subject to U.S. Senate approval in 2006.[8]
On July 31, 2013, the Senate confirmed him as head of the ATF.[9] On March 20, 2015, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced Jones will depart to pursue opportunities in the private sector, with his resignation to become effective on March 31, 2015.[10]
NFL
editOn March 23, 2015, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced to team owners that he was appointing Jones as the league's new chief disciplinary officer. Goodell announced his creation of the position in December 2014 after a series of player suspensions. The officer oversees investigation of player misconduct and any discipline that results from those investigations.
References
edit- ^ Luger confirmed as Minnesota’s next US attorney
- ^ Ken Belson, "N.F.L. to Hire B. Todd Jones, A.T.F. Director, as Disciplinary Officer", The New York Times, March 23, 2015; accessed March 24, 2015.
- ^ "Former ATF director B. Todd Jones calls NFL post 'a dream come true'", The Star Tribune, January 26, 2016; accessed May 2, 2016.
- ^ "B. Todd Jones Confirmed as ATF Director". ATF. July 31, 2013. Archived from the original on October 10, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ^ Shesgreen, Deride (May 27, 2013). "Wyoming grad, candidate for ATF caught in confirmation fight". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ Walsh, James. "About B. Todd Jones". StarTribune. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
- ^ Serrano, Richard A. (August 30, 2011). "Kenneth Melson, who oversaw ATF's Fast and Furious, steps down". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
- ^ Browning, Dan (January 16, 2013). "U.S. Attorney for Minnesota B. Todd Jones nominated as ATF director". StarTribune. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
- ^ "B. Todd Jones wins Senate approval as next ATF chief". UPI. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ^ ATF (March 20, 2015). "ATF Announces B. Todd Jones to Depart". ATF.gov. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015.