David Jones Sr. co-founded Humana Inc. and considers the good job opportunities and chance for success that the company ultimately provided as his greatest achievement. Treating people the way he wants to be treated is his guiding principle.
In 1961, Louisville-native David Jones Sr., with his late partner Wendell Cherry, borrowed $1,000 and founded the company, Extendicare. Before the decade was though, it became the largest nursing home company in the U.S. In 1974, the company was re-named Humana, Inc.
Today, Humana is a Fortune 100 health benefits company with revenue of $30 billion, 30,000 employees, and almost 12 million customers across the nation. In 2005, after 37 years as CEO and 44 years as board chair, Jones retired from Humana, and was succeeded by his son.
Jones and his business partner were instrumental in the opening of the Kentucky Center for the Arts. His many other achievements include receiving the Yale Medal, the highest award for outstanding volunteer service, and the Order of Merit in 2003, Romania’s highest civilian award. He also holds honorary doctorates from universities across the globe.
Jones and his wife Betty have five children and eleven grandchildren.