FEATURE
Your Community Partners
DERBY JONES
purchased the Williamson Herald in 2006 and has been owner ever since. Derby grew up working for his family newspaper business in Johnson City, Tennessee. He moved to Nashville in 1994 to work for The Tennessean newspaper. He learned from his Grandfather, Carl A. Jones who was a newspaper publisher in his hometown, that the local newspaper can help the community. Carl was Derby’s inspiration. He never cared about what others thought of him and he always did what he thought was best for the community. Derby married his wife Cassie in 1999 and the couple has two children, Maggie and Derby. Both children attend Brentwood High School. His family moved to Williamson County in 2004 because they wanted his children to go to Williamson County Schools. This was tough for Derby because his heart was still in Nashville. Derby and Cassie’s personal lives revolve around their children’s school, sports, and social lives. When they are not with their children they are out in the community. Cassie serves on several boards including Franklin Tomorrow, Williamson Inc., First Citizens National Bank Smart Women advisory board, and is an advocate for the Alzheimer’s’ Association. Derby is involved with the Franklin Noon Rotary Club as foundation president. He was recognized by the Franklin Noon Rotary Club last year with the distinguished service award and it made him cry. He is also on several other boards and he tries to give as much time as he can. Derby’s greatest professional accomplishment is being able to keep the Williamson Herald going. He expanded on that thought by saying: “I was not sure if the paper would survive in 2008 and even last year, I was worried whether we would make it. But thanks to our readers and advertisers, we have managed to survive. I could not have done this without my wife, Cassie, and my great staff who work so hard to make this a great product. It’s a labor of love for sure, I am proud of what my team is doing on daily basis to inform our readers.” Derby thinks The Herald and sister publication Southern Exposure, are very valuable to this community because they tell the stories of local people. He explained that the contribution of he and his publications are to be a “community asset that informs our readers on all topics important to Williamson Countians. Local news is important, and I urge everyone to support all local media. My role is to hire great people and we have some really talented people that cover all aspects of life here in Williamson County.” He is driven to work harder, be better, and do more because his business requires it. The local media face more challenges every day. Derby clarifies that this a tough business to be in 30 SUMMER 2021
Celebrating 10 Years
MEDIA if you want to make money, but he is driven to play an important role in the community and he has a goal to become the best local newspaper in the county. Williamson County is special to him because of the people. “I have met some of the greatest people who live and work in this community. Secondly is the beauty. This is a gorgeous place to live and work and raise a family. And the history is amazing. I had no idea how much history was here until I moved to Williamson County and started working here every day.” Derby defines being a gentleman as: “Just being respectful and nice to people is important. Be courteous to people, it’s really not that hard. I think it also means that you come from a good family, which I am blessed to say that I did.” His Dad always told him to be a gentleman in every situation. He didn’t always listen, but he had four younger sisters to keep him in line.
