Charles T. Jones

Charles T. Jones started his career with Star Coal and Coke Company before enlisting in the United States Navy where he served in the Pacific on Guadalcanal as a crane and equipment operator in the Seabees, and later after graduating from Columbia University Officer's Training, as an engineering officer aboard the United States mine sweeper "YMS248." His tour of duty took him to Hiroshima, Japan, 60 days after its bombing. Following his military service, he purchased the Hatfield-Campbell Creek Coal Company. He joined the Ohio Valley Improvement Association in 1953 and was instrumental in its consolidation to the DINAMO group in 1982. He was appointed to the Inland Waterways Users Board in 1988 and served as chairman until 1992 and continues to serve as a chairman emeritus on the board. In 1963, he co-chaired the West Virginia Centennial Commission and was responsible for converting the Steam Towboat OMAR into the Showboat RHODODENDRON. Jones has helped obtain funding for the construction of several locks including the new Byrd, Winfield and Marmet Locks. He is chairman of the company which operates the largest fleet of sternwheel towboats in the world and the oldest propeller-driven inland river towboat in service today. The company operates 35 river towboats and 10 floating cranes.