Jo Ann Hopson has been named Human Resources Director of Jones Media, Inc.

She succeeds Mary Agnes Cross, Jones Media Vice President for Human Resources, who is retiring after having been associated with The Greeneville Sun and its affiliated properties under the Jones Media umbrella since 1985.

Although retired, Cross will continue her association with Jones Media as a consultant.

Hopson, a 1987 graduate of Walters State Community College, Morristown, in the field of business management, has been working as senior human resource specialist for Midway-based Minco, Inc., since 2000.

Before that, she worked with Staffmark, Inc., of Greeneville and with Coldwell Banker Associated Realty Group, also of Greeneville.

She is also past president of the Greene County Human Resources Association and has been serving for several years as a member of the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Technology Advisory Council.

She and her husband, Keith, reside in Greeneville.

In an announcement today, Gregg K. Jones, president and CEO of Jones Media, said, "When Mary Agnes Cross shared with me her intention to retire after more than two decades of outstanding service to our company and its employees, I knew that finding a successor for her was going to be very challenging.

"Mary Agnes has been, and is, accomplished, professional, and gracious in all that she does, and has set a high standard of excellence in human resources for Jones Media.

"Her very substantial knowledge of her field and her superlative people skills have made her a great friend and resource to our growing company of more than 500 employees. Finding the right person to succeed her has been a daunting assignment.

"However, after months of reviewing the credentials of -- and, in numerous cases, interviewing -- dozens of high-caliber applicants, Jo Ann Hopson clearly rose to the top.

"She brings with her a wealth of experience in benefits management and other key human resource areas.

"She is a proven professional in every regard, with an outstanding track record in human resources, leadership, safety, and performance.

"She was the unanimous choice of the search committee assembled to find a worthy successor to Mary Agnes, who was herself a member of that committee.

"We will greatly miss Mary Agnes, both from a personal standpoint and from a professional standpoint, and we offer her our deep and abiding gratitude for all her years of service, along with our absolute best wishes as she has more opportunity to enjoy her family in the years ahead.

"At the same time, we are grateful and excited to be able to welcome Jo Ann to our company, and we have total confidence that she will do an outstanding job in this key responsibility with the Jones Media staff family."