Photo credit: Virginian Pilot

The White House has nominated Maurice Jones, the publisher of the Norfolk, Virginia Virginian-Pilot, to become deputy secretary for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Jones, 47, has been publisher of The Pilot since mid-2008, and he previously served as a top adviser to Senator Warner when he was Virginia’s governor. 

"Maurice Jones is a strong manager with a love of public service," Senator Warner said. "As my deputy chief of staff and then as Virginia's social services commissioner, Maurice was especially effective at building consensus and solving big problems. He's done the same thing at The Pilot, managing a large publishing enterprise during a very challenging time for the newspaper business.

"I congratulate Maurice on his nomination to serve as Deputy HUD Secretary. One of the biggest challenges we still face is the housing problem, and HUD will certainly benefit from Maurice's intellect, his proven management experience and his great people skills. I look forward to working with him again." If confirmed by the Senate, Jones will succeed Ronald Sims, who retired.