[1][2] After graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a brother of Phi Sigma Kappa, Jones joined the GE's Business Training Course in 1939.

In 1968, Jones became the company's chief financial officer, and was elected senior vice-president two years later, in 1970.

Jones selected his successor, Jack Welch, based on the outcome of a succession contest.

Jones' own account of that contest can be heard in an interview conducted with him by Prof. Gerald Zahavi (U-Albany, SUNY).

During his tenure as CEO of GE he implemented various innovative strategic planning initiatives, driving the corporation further into a global marketplace.