Happy Anniversary, David Jones!

This week, the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) holds its annual convention and trade show in Long Beach, California. This week also marks the 20^th anniversary of MCP’s David Jones being elected NENA’s president, which coincidentally also occurred in Long Beach. At the time, David was director of emergency services for Spartanburg, S.C.; in that role he oversaw 911 and emergency management operations. As NENA president, David testified before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee regarding 911 and next-generation telecommunications networks. A few years later, David became one of MCP’s cofounders.

To mark David’s 20^th anniversary as NENA’s president, I asked MCP cofounders Kevin Murray, Brian Bark, and Len Kowalski to describe what David has meant to the firm, to them personally, and to the public safety sector at large. Here’s what they said:

Kevin Murray — At MCP, we often talk about the technical expertise that drives our work. But behind every successful project is something less tangible but equally essential: relationships. Few people have embodied that truth more completely than David Jones.

If you were to describe David in a single word, it might be statesman. Throughout his career, David brought a calm, steady presence to every conversation, even in the most complex situations. He understood that every project involves not only technology but also politics, competing priorities, and a network of stakeholders who need to move forward together.

It’s a lot like herding cats much of the time, and David mastered it. He is, quite simply, a relationship engineer.

David always brought the client perspective to planning and board meetings.  He would say that you can have a great technical solution, but it needs to be operational and affordable for the community to achieve a successful project outcome. 

His ability to tailor conversations to his audience is without peer. He can simplify complex technical concepts for elected officials and policymakers or engage deeply with engineers when needed. No matter who is in the room, David knows how to make each person feel heard, respected, and part of the solution.

More than anything, David is sincere. His approachability and authenticity are qualities that make him not just a colleague, but a lifelong friend to many. Once you worked with David, you knew he was in your corner for the long haul.

In the world of public safety communications, where trust is critical and change is constant, David’s ability to build lasting relationships helped countless agencies and clients navigate their most challenging moments. His legacy lives on in the projects he helped guide, the people he mentored, and the friendships he built along the way.

We are grateful for the time, talent, and heart that David shared with all of us.

Brian Bark — When reflecting on the people who have shaped the public safety sector, few names stand out like David Jones. His career is a testament to integrity, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to serving both clients and the broader public safety community.

David has an amazing ability to build deep relationships with clients that are rooted in trust, which enables him to guide them through complex challenges with empathy, expertise, and insight.

One of David's most valuable qualities is his ability to connect with any audience in the room. Whether speaking to elected officials, financial leaders, emergency responders, or public safety officials, David makes it a point to understand each stakeholder's priorities. He has a remarkable ability to translate complex technical solutions into meaningful benefits that resonate with everyone involved.

David's credibility is rooted in his extensive experience running 911 centers in places as varied as Texarkana, Oklahoma, Kansas, and South Carolina. This "boots on the ground" experience gives him a level of authenticity that clients immediately recognize. He didn’t just talk the talk; he had lived it, and that made his advice and leadership invaluable.

David’s partnership with Charles Conley became legendary within MCP. Together, they built the firm’s Texas presence, managing demanding clients with grace and professionalism. Their work was so reliable that senior leadership rarely needed to step in; they handled even the most challenging situations with skill and discretion.

But perhaps David's greatest legacy lies in the countless relationships he nurtured across the industry. He was a connector, often bringing the right people together to move critical initiatives forward, even when difficult conversations were required. His leadership style is marked by an ability to listen, adapt, and inspire confidence in everyone he worked with.

David’s leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to clients and colleagues alike serve as a model for all who continue the important work of enhancing public safety outcomes.

Len Kowalski — When MCP expanded into Texas, David brought a deep well of credibility as a longtime 911 center director. He knew how clients thought, what they worried about, and what success looked like from their side of the table. His insights helped shape solutions that felt less like consulting and more like collaboration.

David's impact extends well beyond MCP. His tenure as NENA president two decades ago marked a pivotal moment not only for him but for the public-safety sector at large. His leadership helped shape national discussions and priorities around 911 services, bringing operational experience and real-world challenges to the forefront of industry conversations. Today, his influence continues to resonate, contributing to the evolution of emergency communications, especially Next Generation 911.

I want to echo Brian’s thoughts regarding how well David and Charles worked together. They truly were partners and that partnership exemplified balance — it just clicked, from the very first day. David focused on identifying client needs and forging relationships, while Charles ensured that the firm could deliver on its promises. While David provided strategic direction based on his deep understanding of public-safety operations, Charles translated those strategies into actionable, sustainable plans. Their collaboration was not simply about dividing responsibilities — it also was about enhancing each other's strengths.

When it came to delighting the client, David and Charles were all business. However, they and their relationship occasionally would take a lighter turn, most notably during the skits that were presented during our annual end-of-year gathering, which sadly ended when the pandemic arrived. Numerous times, “Little Davy” would sit on the lap of Santa, played by Charles, and hilarity would ensue. The bond between them was never clearer than in those moments.

A personal note: Clearly, David has had a profound impact on MCP, our clients, and the public-safety sector. But he also has had a profound impact on my career. I first met him at the Long Beach event so many years ago. He immediately took a liking to me and my colleague at Urgent Communications, Donny Jackson, and quickly became a trusted go-to source. He also served for many years on our editorial advisory council, regularly participating in our quarterly conference calls and providing meaningful suggestions and constructive criticism. Talking with David then was like talking with your favorite uncle, something that still rings true today.

When David learned from Donny that Penton Media had laid me off in a cost-cutting maneuver, he immediately reached out, asking, “Do you want to chat? We might have something for you to do.”

That was 11 years ago. After I was offered the job, I confessed to David that I wasn’t sure I wanted to take it, explaining that I never had to fill out a timesheet and had heard horror stories from colleagues in the advertising and public-relations fields about having to do so. In response, David simply said, “Don’t let that stop you — you’ll get used to it.”

So, I trusted him — and I will be forever grateful that I did.

Glenn Bischoff is MCP’s content specialist.