Insight: Billy Jones

By Michelle St. Onge Photo by Jessica McCafferty

Hometown: Chateaugay, NY

Family: Daughter, Ella Liberty

Occupation: Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Workforce Development, Clinton Community College

Education: A.A.S., Clinton Community College; Honorary Ph.D., Paul Smith’s College

Community Involvement: Board member, United Way of the Adirondack Region and the North Country Workforce Development Board; Board member, Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA); longstanding member of Chateaugay Rotary.

David William “Billy” Jones grew up in Chateaugay in a farming family where public service, politics, and hard work were woven into the fabric of everyday life. He developed an early interest in current events and, as a young boy, was often found sitting in front of the television set watching the news. The son of local politicians, his family home proudly featured a framed photo of President John F. Kennedy who no doubt inspired his curiosity and public service. 

Jones’ path to leadership and State Legislative office was far less calculated than most people assume. After taking his first career job in Corrections for the stability and benefits it offered, he slowly found his way into local government. His first elected office was as mayor of his hometown, then County Legislator, county chair, and eventually the first Democrat elected to the New York State Assembly from the district in decades.

During the Assembly years, his life moved at a relentless pace. His role had him constantly on the go, balancing family life, public office, community obligations, and travel across the state and district. As his daughter grew older, Jones began to reconsider the demands of political life and the time it was taking away from home. “Take advantage of the moments,” he said, reflecting on a career that for years revolved around the schedule and what came next.

How did your career in politics begin?

One day, not long after I bought a house nearby, I was walking through the village of Chateaugay when a village trustee came out of the town barbershop and called me to go inside with him for a minute. It was one of those classic old barbershops where the men of the town gather and talk. The trustee looked at me and said, “Hey Billy, we think you should run for mayor.’” As surprised as I was, I agreed, ran for office and won the race. I actually didn’t have competition — they kind of anointed me — but I still went and campaigned door to door. 

How did small town politics shape your later career?

It taught me how to communicate with people. In a small town, an elected official can’t go anywhere without people talking to them about town issues — roads, schools, whatever is on their mind. That experience taught me how important it is to be accessible to people. I learned how things in the town worked, from doing things like spending time with public works and getting to understand government from the ground level up.

How did you come to be called ‘Billy?’

My full name is David William Jones. My father was named David, and I had an Uncle William who they called Bill. They started calling me Billy, and I’ve been known as Billy my whole life. When I ran for office, I actually had to legally register as Billy in order for the name I’m known by to appear on the ballot.

What important lessons have you learned in your career?

Communication is key in everything, whether it’s leadership, work or family. I also learned the importance of understanding other people’s perspectives. You can’t just walk in and tell people how things are going to be. And hard work — even if you’re not the smartest person in the room, you will go far if you try to outwork them.

What qualities contribute to your success?

Hard work and good communication. Also being driven — actually even to the point of being impatient. That helped, but it can wear you down. I also think having good people around you is important, so that you can listen to their advice, even when you don’t want to. 

What are you most proud of?

Being accessible to people.  Someone once told me I was the most accessible politician they’d ever seen. That stuck with me. The ribbon cuttings and press conferences are part of the scene, but the most meaningful part is when someone comes up and tells you how you helped them or their family. That’s what matters.

What is something you’re working on right now that readers might be surprised to learn?

One project I’ve become really excited about is the idea of bringing the Winter Olympics back to Lake Placid through a partnership with New York City. There’s a small group of us that has been working on the concept for several years now, and recently it’s started gaining real momentum — including support from Governor Hochul — to explore the idea further. What’s funny is that the whole thing started about four years ago during a conversation between a former colleague from Brooklyn and me. The original concept was literally sketched out on a bar room napkin.

If you could have dinner and spend an evening with any well-known person, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

President Harry Truman. He was a farm boy who ended up making one of the biggest decisions in history. I’d want to talk to him to try and understand what that must have felt like.

What is your favorite quote and how does it speak to you in your life?

I have always liked this one from Harry Truman: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.” It’s one we’ve been referring to quite a bit lately here on campus.

If you could talk to your younger self, what advice would you offer him?

Slow down and think things through. Everything isn’t a crisis. Be patient, take advantage of the moments and enjoy the ride.

What do you do for fun?

I like simple things like a good meal with friends and family. I have a camp on the lake and I enjoy being outside in the sun and spending time with my daughter. My guilty pleasure is scrolling social media and seeing people enjoying their lives.

What do you believe the North Country community should do today to ensure a prosperous future?

Investing in people and skills. We have a major workforce shortage locally in trades, operators and skilled workers. People are retiring and there’s no pipeline to fill in the jobs behind them. If we don’t train people now, we won’t be able to maintain basic critical infrastructure systems in the coming years. Apprenticeships and workforce development are critical.