Tom Jones of WSB-TV is hard at work outside the Clayton County Court House in Jonesboro, GA, on March 27, 2013, preparing to report a late afternoon story. (Photo by: Robin Hamilton/Full Sail University).
If you have ever watched the local news on WSB-TV, channel 2, chances are you know Tom Jones. Jones is a news reporter for the station. Originally from Houston, Texas, the 51 year old migrated to Atlanta, GA to continue his lifelong dream of news reporting.
Born into a family with strong roots in Texas, Tom is the third child of five. As a young boy an uncle who sold insurance influenced him. “My uncle was the first person in the family to graduate from college,” Tom said. “Because he went to college, it motivated me do the same.” In his teenage years, Jones recalls being very popular and having the “gift of gab.” This gift gave him a much-needed element, which would be essential for eventually helping him become an accomplished news reporter. He goes on to say that, “playing sports and always smiling to the people around me,” also added to his popularity.
His college years were challenging yet Jones refused to let anything get in his way. “I always have seen obstacles as opportunities for me to shine; something for me to conquer. I remember working two jobs, going to school, doing an internship and I was the Managing Editor or a weekly entertainment magazine. People would ask was I tired or worn out and I’d say no! I enjoyed the challenge of getting it all done.”
Jones lives in Georgia with his wife of 22 years. They have three children aged 13, 20 and 26.
Tom describes himself as being, “humble, fun loving, dedicated, and hard working.” However, his friends would describe him as, “serious and demanding.”
He loves what he does for a living; the good and the bad. He said the most rewarding aspect of his job is, “when I help someone,” the most challenging, “trying to meet deadlines.”
Erin Frederickson, a video journalist who works closely with Tom, said that some of the rewarding aspects of working with Jones are because, “he has his own beat and he is really into it.” Frederickson adds, “He knows all the players and he always has something set up. So even if something falls through he has a back up. He has his stuff together.” In one word she describes Tom Jones as being, “Dynamic!”
