Dan E. Jones

Dan E. Jones (1934-2018) was an American educator and political pollster from Utah. Jones was a Professor and Associate Director of University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics from 1978 to 2013, and many of his former students are involved in Utah politics at every level.[1] He also co-founded the public opinion polling group Dan Jones & Associates, Utah's most prominent polling firm.[2] Kirk Jowers, former director of the Hinckley institute, has said that "Dan Jones has had the largest impact of probably anyone in Utah on civic participation."[3]

Personal life, education, and career

In 1980 Jones co-founded Dan Jones & Associates, a public opinion and market research firm.[4] The company was acquired by Utah research and strategy firm Cicero Group in 2010.[5][6] In 2015, Dan and Patricia Jones were recipients of the first "Insight Award" from nonprofit research organization Utah Foundation.[7]

Jones had a Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Utah.[8] He was married to Patricia W. Jones, a former politician and the current director of the Utah Women's Leadership Institute. They had four children and three step-children.

Jones died on November 2, 2018, at age 84 after a long illness. He was eulogized in a Salt Lake Tribune article as "The Oracle of Utah politics."[9]

References

  1. ^ Robert Gehrke (March 20, 2013). "After half a century shaping minds, Dan Jones calling it quits ". Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  2. ^ Robert Gehrke (March 20, 2013). "After half a century shaping minds, Dan Jones calling it quits". Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  3. ^ Andrea Smardon (March 20, 2013). "Pollster Dan Jones Retires from the University of Utah". Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  4. ^ "Dan Jones Profile". Cicero Group. Retrieved November 25, 2015. Dr. Jones plays a leading role at Cicero Group as former CEO and Co-Founder of Dan Jones and Associates.
  5. ^ Keith McCord (January 13, 2010). "Cicero Group acquires Dan Jones & Associates". KSL. Retrieved November 25, 2015. Pat Jones says she and her husband, Dan, were not actively looking to merge with another company, but with Cicero, it allows for a more national presence with its work.
  6. ^ "Utah-based Research and Strategy Firm, The Cicero Group, Announces Acquisition of Dan Jones & Associates". Cicero Group. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  7. ^ Harrie, Dan (September 14, 2015). "Utah Foundation honors Dan and Pat Jones". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  8. ^ "Dan Jones to be honored at retirement breakfast". March 19, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  9. ^ Gehrke, Robert (November 3, 2018). "Legendary Utah political pollster Dan Jones has died". The Salt Lake Tribune.