The Texas Exes Hires Robert W. Jones, Corporate Affairs Executive, As CEO

On May 1, 2025, The Texas Exes welcomed Robert W. Jones, BBA '87, Life Member, as its new leader and CEO. With more than three decades of strategic leadership in corporate affairs and nonprofit organizations, Jones arrives at the organization with proven expertise in shaping public policy and driving impactful change. 

Jones' accomplished career includes nearly 20 years at Pfizer, where he directed external engagement strategies, provided crisis management during the COVID-19 pandemic, and rose to the role of senior vice president. Most recently, Jones served as the managing director at Mercury Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. 

Jones holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from UT Austin and a law degree from the University of Houston School of Law. 

The Texas Exes Board of Directors and Russell Reynolds Associates conducted a months-long search for the leadership position before selecting Jones. 

"Robert is exactly the kind of person we were looking for to lead the Texas Exes, and the committee favored him unanimously," says Brien Smith, president and chair of the Texas Exes Board of Directors and leader of the search committee. "Throughout his impressive career, he has built bridges, found consensus, and inspired teams to do their best work. He also has a great sense of pride in his alma mater and a passion for helping Longhorns." 

Jones is only the eighth head of UT’s alumni association in its 140-year history. 

“As someone who has loved The University of Texas since I could crawl, every aspect of the Texas Exes mission excites me. This is an opportunity to serve UT and give back to an institution that has given so much to me," Jones says. "I can't think of a more fulfilling way to spend this next chapter of my life.” 

Jones succeeds Chuck Harris, who served for more than seven years before annoucing his retirement earlier this year. 

CREDIT: Matt Wright-Steel