Michael Jones was born in Schenectady, New York on November 1, 1950 to Martha Young and Joseph Jones. The first of two children he had the good fortune of growing up in a family and community that almost always encouraged and supported his athletic abilities and his sports/leisure vision and entrepreneurial spirit. From Maple Street Elementary School to Main Street Middle School and graduation in 1968 and afterwards, his grade school coach and lifelong mentor Tony Luciano‘s words “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” rang true.
His decision to apply his surroundings, influences, and up bringing resulted in his certification as a professional ski instructor at age 18, owner of several local sports related businesses, and coaching three U.S. Ski Team members. He then moved to California where he continued ski racing and coaching. Once again he was encouraged to stretch and test his abilities as a stuntman for Stunts Unlimited and character actor in daytime soaps and feature movies, all before the age of 35.
He went on to own several sports/leisure related patents and launched three companies, Cool Zone, Body Lenz and JonesCAM. Cool Zone evaporative misting systems are used by the NFL and NCAA, the 86‘ Olympics, and by amusement parks around the world. Most recently he developed and patented a product called JonesCAM. These micro–video helmet cameras and on–board recording systems are used by numerous TV shows and movies such as FOX Sports, Speed Channel, ESPN, Discovery Channel, AMA/ATV national teams, NASA, Boeing, along with the CIA and FBI.
His parents, daughter Celine, and her family reside locally. When not working on new products and services for his or other businesses, his activities he enjoys are skiing, fishing, and researching new products and markets with an eye towards the future.