Father knows best.

Judd Jones can attest to that old adage.

His connection to technology and leadership role at the Hagadone Corp. can be traced back to a moment decades ago when he and his father, Robert Jones, watched a broadcast featuring Bill Gates, Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs in their younger days, sharing stories about their startups.

“That's the business you need to be in,” Robert Jones told his son. “You need to be in technology.”

Judd Jones took his father’s advice to heart.

He studied technology, worked in the field and made it his career.

"My dad knew what he was talking about,” Judd Jones said.

Jones first went to work for the Hagadone Corp. in 1999 when he was hired to provide technical support for The Press.

It wasn’t long before he was called on to do more.

He was soon promoted to production manager.

Next came the director of technology.

Today, Jones is the Hagadone Corp.’s chief information officer and president of Hagadone Technologies.

Needless to say, Jones has been an integral part of the company's success.

“It’s been a lot of years of hard work with a great company and great people,” Jones said. “I feel very fortunate for this career and to be where I am.”

While Jones has never sought the spotlight, it will literally fall on him for The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s annual Lighting Ceremony about 6 p.m. Friday, following the downtown parade.

He will be the guest of honor, leading the countdown to fireworks, music and more than a million holiday lights for an estimated crowd of 30,000.

“I’m excited to represent the family of Hagadone companies,” he said. "It’s a privilege to celebrate not only the holiday lighting ceremony but also stand before our wonderful community that has supported the Hagadone family throughout my career."

“As president of Hagadone Technologies, building software is just one of my responsibilities.” 

He loves developing new products for the company.

“That’s really what drives me,” Jones said. “I like the support aspect. It’s very gratifying to build something from scratch that will benefit the company and people outside the company."

This is the story of a kid born in Missoula and raised in Coeur d’Alene. He washed dishes at Beverley’s restaurant at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, bused tables at Cedar’s restaurant, and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School.

“I graduated a Viking,” he said proudly.

Along the way, he learned the value of working not just hard, but smart. His dedication and drive caught the attention of those who knew him as he climbed the corporate ladder.

While Jones may be a technology geek, he is a fitness buff who has written columns for The Press and other publications on health, diet and exercise.

"I enjoy what I do,” he said. “I always have.”

The parade starts at 5 p.m. on Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d’Alene. It will be followed by the lighting ceremony at The Resort, led by Brad Hagadone, chairman and CEO of the Hagadone Corporation.

Jones is looking forward to the countdown.

“I’ll be happy to be standing with the community, all the people I grew up with,” he said. “It’s exciting to think about it. I’m pumped.”

Jones takes pride in being a local kid who grew up in Coeur d’Alene. He lives in the Garden District and loves being part of the community.

“There's no place I’d rather be for the holidays than Coeur d’Alene,” he said.