Brian Jones, BS Marketing ’02

Brian S. Jones, a proud 2002 Rutgers School of Business–Camden graduate, recently returned to campus to speak with students in Professor George’s 8:00 AM Intro to Business class. For Brian, stepping back into the classroom felt like coming full circle. Growing up in nearby Cinnaminson as the oldest of six children, he learned early the importance of hard work, responsibility, and financial literacy—values that shaped both his college experience and his career. When choosing a university, he made a thoughtful, practical decision: with tuition at Rutgers–Camden a fraction of the cost of other schools he considered, he committed to earning his degree without taking on student debt, a lesson he emphasized to students as they begin making their own financial choices.

During his time at Rutgers–Camden, Brian balanced a full course load with working 30 hours a week at his family’s business, often scheduling 8 AM and evening classes to make it all fit. He shared stories from his early jobs in the chemical supplies industry—like navigating a delivery truck through Center City Philadelphia—which taught him how to manage stress, adapt quickly, and communicate with people from all walks of life. His involvement as vice president of the Marketing Association, led by Dr. Carroll Kauffman-Scarborough, also left a lasting impact; he still gets together every few months with classmates he met through the club. Brian also spoke fondly of faculty members such as Dr. Julie Ruth and advisor Rory “Cal” Maradona, whose mentorship helped guide his academic journey.

Throughout his presentation, Brian offered students straightforward, memorable advice: make yourself stand out, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself, always follow up, be honest and kind, and don’t fear failure. He even recalled a lesson from his own commencement speaker, Ron Wilson, who said that being a good listener is essential to becoming a good leader—wisdom that has stayed with him more than 20 years later.

After graduating with a degree in Marketing, Brian built a career that took him from Southern California, working in beverage and food sales for Marriott, back to the East Coast and ultimately into the chemical supplies industry. His current role as Eastern Regional Sales Director for Fresh Products—covering half the United States as well as the Caribbean—came through a conference connection, reinforcing another message he shared with students: the power of networking.

Brian closed his visit by handing out business cards and encouraging students to reach out anytime, whether for advice, support, or simply to connect. His journey reflects the resilience, drive, and community that define the Rutgers–Camden experience, and his story continues to inspire the next generation of business leaders.