Dr. Jones graduated with honors from U.C. Davis with an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. After practicing as a private veterinarian, she joined the California Department of Food and Agriculture in 2001. On July 1, 2004, Dr. Jones was appointed Director of the Animal Health and Food Safety Services, currently overseeing 356 people in diverse programs related to animal agriculture. In September of 2010, besides continuing to perform as Director, Dr. Jones was appointed State Veterinarian. During her tenure, she has led multiple State level emergency animal health and food safety responses. She has addressed animal needs during natural disasters like extreme heat, fire, snow, and floods; has directed State mandated disease control and eradication actions during potentially catastrophic disease outbreaks in poultry, cattle, swine, and horses; and has initiated mandatory recalls during food contamination events. Dr. Jones also has held several state and national leadership roles. She was the president of the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, Chair for the National Institute of Animal Agriculture, Treasurer for the United States Animal Health Association and served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. She currently serves on the California Veterinary Medical Association Agriculture and Legislative Committees.
