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It was during her time there that she began co-hosting
the Mississippi Outdoors television program which has
aired on Mississippi Public Broadcasting for thirty-three
seasons. “I began co-hosting with Melvin Tingle, who my
dad and I had watched on television for many years,” she
says. “My dad always said I could do that one day, and sure
enough, I am doing it.” Amanda was offered the co-hosting
position just a few months into her job at the department.
After Tingle passed away, Clinton resident Kevin Meachum
came on board as the co-host partner with Amanda. “I love
doing the show, because it allows me to go out and hunt
and fish and enjoy the outdoors. Mississippi has so much
to offer.”
Amanda began her position with the City of Clinton
the first part of November 2021. In her communications
role, she serves as the city’s public information officer,
and she manages marketing for the city. “I hit the ground
running,” she recalls. “On my second day, the city’s
narcotics unit, which was just started in October 2020,
had the largest drug bust they have had to date. I had to
rush to put together a press conference.”
Her director of tourism role requires her to oversee
the train depot and visitors center off the Natchez Trace.
“I have already identified and applied for several federal
grants to help kickstart our tourism efforts,” she says.
“Clinton is such a unique place and has so much to see
and do. I want others to know about us and to come visit.
My job is so fulfilling because I am able to do so much
good for my home city.”
A Clinton resident, Amanda is married to Dustin
Jones, a native of Greenwood. The couple has two
daughters, Addie (6) and Anna Lois (4). Addie is a
first-grader at Clinton Park Elementary where Amanda
serves as president of the PTO. Both girls are active in
city sports and recreations, including soccer and softball.
“They both love it,” says Amanda. “We have fun with it
too, but now I’m looking at things from the perspective
of how others are experiencing it, starting with the
registration forms. I’m always looking for ways to make
things more efficient.”
As a public relations professional, Amanda is a member
of the Public Relations of Mississippi’s Central Chapter.
The Jones family attend First Baptist Church in Clinton.
30 • MARCH 2022