Glenn R. Jones was a cable business pioneer who built his company, Jones Intercable, into one of the 10 largest cable operators in the United States. He also founded what would become the first online university to receive accreditation, Jones International University.
Jones began his career in 1961 as a representative for cable companies in their acquisition efforts. He started his empire several years later by borrowing $400 against his Volkswagen and purchasing his first cable system in Georgetown, Colorado. He also became the first person to organize partnerships to raise money to buy cable franchises, and went on to raise more than $1.2 billion in equity capital.
In 1987 Jones became involved in education and started a cable TV network called Mind Extension University, which offered college courses via television. He moved the effort online in 1993 with the opening of Jones University, which became the first accredited online-only university in 1999, according to the school. In 2005 the Cable Center, a Denver-based nonprofit educational organization, added Jones to its Cable Hall of Fame.
Glenn R. Jones was a cable business pioneer who built his company, Jones Intercable, into one of the 10 largest cable operators in the United States. He also founded what would become the first online university to receive accreditation, Jones International University.
Jones began his career in 1961 as a representative for cable companies in their acquisition efforts. He started his empire several years later by borrowing $400 against his Volkswagen and purchasing his first cable system in Georgetown, Colorado. He also became the first person to organize partnerships to raise money to buy cable franchises, and went on to raise more than $1.2 billion in equity capital.
In 1987 Jones became involved in education and started a cable TV network called Mind Extension University, which offered college courses via television. He moved the effort online in 1993 with the opening of Jones University, which became the first accredited online-only university in 1999, according to the school. In 2005 the Cable Center, a Denver-based nonprofit educational organization, added Jones to its Cable Hall of Fame.
He also championed the digitization of the book collection at the Library of Congress. The Library later named him a Living Legend for his contributions to society.
Jones died July 7, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. He was 85.
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