Max Jones, editor of the Tribune-Star (Terre Haute), has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Hoosier State Press Association.
Jones more than fits the award criteria, said Tim Timmons, president of the HSPA board of directors, when he announced Jones’ award.
“Sometimes a person shows up in leadership roles in so many different organizations, one takes it for granted he or she will be involved in the next large project, board meeting or brainstorming session,” Timmons said. “You name it, Max has done or is doing it.”
The Distinguished Service Award, given annually during the association’s Annual Meetings and Government Conference, recognizes someone who has:
• Made a significant impact on the newspaper industry in Indiana through service to HSPA in committee work, board membership, lobbying efforts or legal action.
• Performed outstanding service to the newspaper industry in general.
• Demonstrated service in the local community that reflected positively on its newspaper.
Decades ago Jones was an original member of the HSPA Newsroom Seminar Committee that plans the training sessions for the event and makes the rules for the Better Newspaper Contest.
He was off the committee for a while and then came on again and served as president for two years. He’s still a reliable member, Timmons said.
Active in a number of journalistic organizations in addition to HSPA, Jones participates in the Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors and is a past president of the group. He belongs to the Freedom of Information committee as well.
He is currently president of the Indiana Debate Commission and a board member with the Friends of Ernie Pyle, leading the charge to save the museum in Dana dedicated to the famed World War II correspondent.
Jones also has been a longtime member of the Student Publications Board at Indiana State University.
He has been a member of the Tribune-Star newsroom staff for 26 years, the past 11 as editor in chief.
Jones joined the Tribune-Star in 1985 as regional editor and five years later was promoted to editorial page editor, a position he held for 10 years before being named editor.
Prior to coming to the Tribune-Star, Max worked for 10 years as a reporter, photographer and editor at the Sullivan Daily Times. He holds a degree in journalism from Indiana University.
“It is time to recognize this editor for his service not only to the Hoosier State Press Association but to the newspaper industry in Indiana,” Timmons said. “We need more Max Joneses.”
