Wilson native Kristi Jones to serve as Cooper’s chief of staff – Wilson Times

The Watch Dog response: I have been knowing Kristi since the early 90’s and she has shown herself approved. Congratulations!

RALEIGH — When Gov.-elect Roy Cooper takes office next month, a Wilson County native who’s been an ally and Cooper confidante for 16 years will remain his right-hand woman.

Cooper named Kristi Jones his chief of staff last week, two days after Republican Gov. Pat McCrory conceded the race. She will be the first African-American woman to serve in the leadership role for a North Carolina governor.

“I couldn’t find a finer public servant to work with,” Jones said. “I tell everyone all the time that I am blessed. It is an honor to work with people you trust and respect every day. I know that he is always going to do the right thing for North Carolina, and that’s just a good thing, because my reputation is tied to his reputation.”

The daughter of Grover and Rose Jones, she grew up near Sims and graduated from James B. Hunt High School. After earning her bachelor’s in political science from N.C. Central University and a law degree from the University of North Carolina, Jones returned home to work for the OIC of Wilson, a community group providing food and job training to low-income residents.

“She was a young, ambitious, brilliant lawyer — still a girl to me,” said Howard Jones, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO who is also Jones’ uncle. “She has been a light of hope since she’s been out of school, just a wonderful person. She has been an inspiration for the family.” (Read more)