Biography

Mr. Jones was the President & CEO of Maryland Nonprofits from 2008 until 2011, when he had to retire due to an injury. During his tenure, Mr. Jones increased membership by nearly 20%, expanded member programs and services, increased leadership development programs, and transformed how the association delivered information and educational offerings. He partnered with the University of Baltimore’s Schaefer Center to create statewide certificate programs, and he collaborated with nonprofit leaders throughout the state to craft an ambitious yet practical and achievable strategic plan for the future. Prior to coming to Maryland Nonprofits, Mr. Jones served as Executive Director of Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital. Within two years, he expanded the program from two schools to ten, quadrupled the budget, expanded the Board, and created a new website. As a result of these and other significant accomplishments, his organization was selected by the 2008 Catalogue for Philanthropy as “One of the best small charities in the greater Washington region.” Before being recruited to lead CIS of the Nation’s Capital, Mr. Jones was the Vice President of the National Crime Prevention Council for six years. Before that, he worked for the Village Foundation as a Program Director. He ultimately led the foundation’s flagship initiative “Hope 6: Building Capacity in Underserved Communities.” Darryl is currently a certified executive coach, and works one-on-one with leaders in the for-profit, and not-for-profit sectors. He has appeared on 60 Minutes, in Newsweek, and has conducted innumerable radio and television interviews on issues including public safety, leadership, and organizational excellence. Mr. Jones is a retired police officer from Prince George’s County, MD. While on the department he worked in patrol, was an academy instructor, a member of the Emergency Services Team, and served three terms as president of the police union. His volunteerism and community service led to him being recognized as Prince Georgian of the Year in 1992. Since leaving law enforcement, Mr. Jones has held senior level positions in nonprofit organizations. His leadership experience ranges from start-ups to national nonprofits, with annual budgets ranging from $200k to $40 million. He has trained senior level executives in leadership and coalition building, and has been a lead facilitator, trainer, and curriculum writer for the U.S. Justice Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as other state and local organizations. In recognition of his programmatic initiatives on behalf of vulnerable children, he was invited to ring the closing bell for NASDAQ on September 26, 2005. Mr. Jones is a Kellogg Fellow, and the first police officer ever selected to participate in the prestigious, three year, national leadership development program. He is also a Weinberg Fellow, a graduate of Leadership Maryland, and a graduate and former Board member of Leadership Greater Washington. A longtime activist for the rights of all people, Mr. Jones has received dozens of awards and honors for leadership and volunteerism. In 2010, after recognizing the lack of diversity among leaders in the Baltimore-Washington regions, Mr. Jones co-founded the “DC; Maryland; and Virginia Racial Diversity Collaborative” to substantially increase the number and influence of nonprofit leaders of color in the Baltimore Washington regions. Leadership training, networking, and mentoring have already led to success and increases in leaders who match the diverse population. Mr. Jones was appointed by President Clinton, and confirmed by the House and Senate, to serve on the National Law Enforcement Oversight Commission, monitoring implementation of the 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill. He has chaired several statewide Commissions and serves on numerous boards. Mr. Jones studied political science and labor economics at Howard University, and management and leadership at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.