Donald Jones, Jr. is founder and owner of Pioneer Oil Company. Pioneer Oil Company was organized in 1979 to own and operate oil wells in the Illinois Basin area. As a fifth-generation oil producer, Don has applied his talents and resources successfully to create a recognized oil producing business. He later acquired Franklin Well Services to provide operational support to Pioneer Oil’s production activities. Today, Franklin Well Services not only supports Pioneer’s production activities but also services the needs of other producers in the region. Due to increased demand for drilling services, Don Jones expanded the company's vertical integration in 2004 to encompass well drilling rigs to service future exploration activities in the Illinois Basin.
Donald E. Jones, Jr. was previously nominated for the Illinois Oil and Gas Association’s “Wildcatter of the Year” award for his successful wildcat drilling activities in Edwards County, Illinois. Mr. Jones has also been awarded the Indiana Oil and Gas Association’s Hall of Fame Award in 2009. Pioneer was recognized as the “Facility of the Year” award from the Indiana Oil & Gas Association in 2006 for the Harmonie State Park facility, the Indiana State University facility in 2014, and the Springfield Facility in Vigo County in 2015. Mr. Jones has been active as an Executive Board member in the Illinois Oil & Gas Association and the Indiana Oil & Gas Association.
