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New Head For Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub Discusses His Vision For Its Future

Dr. Christopher M. Jones with a 3D printer inside the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock.
Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub
Dr. Christopher M. Jones with a 3D printer inside the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock.

Hear KUAR's interview with Dr. Christopher M. Jones, the new executive director for the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.

Dr. Christopher M. Jones with a 3D printer inside the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock.
Credit Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub
Dr. Christopher M. Jones with a 3D printer inside the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock.

A new executive director and lead maker has been named for the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. The non-profit based in North Little Rock provides cutting edge tools like 3D printers and advanced computer technology to inspire people, help them learn and create.

Dr. Christopher M. Jones was named to the post by Winrock International, which combined with the Innovation Hub in June 2016. A native of Pine Bluff and graduate of Watson Chapel High School, Jones left Arkansas to pursue higher education, eventually earning five degrees. He has worked as a nuclear engineer, urban planner and is a former assistant dean for graduate education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

His wife, Dr. Jerrilyn D. Jones being hired as an emergency room physician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, enabled Jones to return home to Arkansas. He spoke about his goals for the Innovation Center and his background during KUAR’s All Things Considered on Wednesday. You can hear the full interview above.

Copyright 2020 KUAR. To see more, visit KUAR.

As News Director, Michael Hibblen oversees daily news coverage for KUAR. He handles assignments for the news staff, helps develop story ideas and edits copy. Michael isresponsible for starting a news-sharing partnership between public radio stations in Arkansas in 2009 which laid the foundation for what became Arkansas Public Media. He is also a regular panelist and fill-in host on AETN's Arkansas Week, where journalists discuss issues in the news.