Dr. Eli Jones is an intellectual with a collection of academic accolades to represent the extent of his professional career. He is a Professor of Marketing, Lowry and Peggy Mays Eminent Scholar, Dean Emeritus, and the former Dean of Mays Business School at his alma mater, Texas A&M University. He served as Dean of three flagship business schools for over 13 years. Dean of Mays Business School (2015-2021), Dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business and holder of the Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair at University of Arkansas (2012-2015), and Dean of the E. J. Ourso College of Business and the E. J. Ourso Distinguished Professor of Business at Louisiana State University (2008-2012). 

Prior to becoming a dean, he was on the faculty at the University of Houston as an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor with tenure, Full Professor, Associate Dean for Executive Education Programs, Director of the Program for Excellence in Selling, and founding Executive Director of the Sales Excellence Institute at the University of Houston. Before becoming a professor, Dr. Jones gained experience at several successful companies, including working in sales and sales management for Quaker Oats, Nabisco, and Frito Lay. Currently, he is on the boards of Invesco Funds, Insperity, and on the regional board of First Financial Bank. 

Aside from teaching, to further spread his knowledge, he has published sales and sales management research in top academic journals, many that are studied by students hoping to receive degrees in this field. He is a co-author of two professional books, Selling ASAP, and Strategic Sales Leadership: Breakthrough Thinking for Breakthrough Results. Recently, he just finished writing his new book, Run Toward Your Goliaths, a book about his and his wife’s faith journey. 

Honoring his multiple contributions to sales and marketing, in 2021 Savoy magazine recognized Dr. Jones as a “Most Influential Black Corporate Director.” He is a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by the American Marketing Association’s Sales Special Interest Group and a Ph.D. Project Hall of Fame recipient in 2016. Also, he is the recipient of Excellence in Teaching awards on the university, national, and international levels having taught strategic selling, advanced professional selling, key accounts selling, sales leadership, and marketing strategy at the undergraduate, MBA levels, and in executive programs. Dr. Jones has made an imprint on academia, one that shows now by influencing and advancing the lives of his students all around the world. This imprint will also present itself as his students continue developing in their field, carrying the knowledge he has instilled in them.