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I f Dallas were to have a version of the royals, it would be the Jones family. And the princess would be Charlotte Jones, who has a philanthropic heart, a business mind like few others, and a buoyant personality that lights up a room (or stadium, in her case). Alas, our recent conversation to prepare her Bomb.com feature was via Zoom. As executive vice president and chief brand officer of the Dallas Cowboys (and if you've been living in Siberia, her parents, Jerry and Gene Jones, own the Dallas Cowboys team), Charlotte oversees all business operations and strategies surrounding the team's brand as it's presented to fans around the globe. Every moment of her day seems to be consumed with meetings — "especially," she points out, "when we have had such a winning streak." What I saw on my screen was Charlotte as radiant as ever (and I'm guessing she hasn't invested in fancy lighting equipment as many of us did when our world turned virtual during COVID lockdown), with her gorgeous blown-out brunette tresses flying about as she talked with great animation on a variety of subjects during our sprawling conversation. Charlotte grew up in Little Rock. This was when her father Jerry was an oil-and-gas man and the Cowboys weren't even on his radar. Apparently, a dose of glamour runs in the Jones genes. We all know Charlotte's mother, Gene, is one of the chicest women in a room, usually in one of her signature Chanel suits. But Charlotte recounts that her grandparents were also stylish. As she shares, "My grandfather was only 5'6" and always had on elevated boots, a beautiful suit, and cowboy hat. He was a firm believer that you should dress to impress and be aspirational." Charlotte began modeling in high school for a local store, B. Barnett. While attending college at Stanford, she continued modeling between her sophomore and junior year in Tokyo and then the summer before graduating in Milan. During this time, she also began to gravitate toward life behind the camera lens — the production of fashion shows and events. Of course, that affinity and talent would later segue into her years with the Cowboys. She's known locally and globally for her philanthropic work. Charlotte became the first woman to serve as chairman of The Salvation Army's National Advisory Board (2010-2014); and this Thanksgiving will mark the 25th anniversary of the organization's National Red Kettle Campaign Kickoff, which occurs during halftime of the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving Day. This was the extremely innovative way that she leveraged the ever- growing national television audience as a groundbreaking approach to fundraising. This annual show is one of the most popular in professional sports. Past entertainers on the Cowboys stage include Reba McEntire (the first, in 1997), Destiny's Child, Enrique Iglesias, and Selena Gomez. Where has Charlotte's passionate energy been channeled these days? Besides her work as one of the most powerful women in sports and mother of three children, she's chairman of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. "Our country is divided, and we need something like this to bring us together," she says. "To celebrate those patriots who have gone above and beyond for our country." The National Medal of Honor, which is bestowed on members of the military service, was established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861. When Charlotte learned that there was no museum dedicated to the stories of the close to 3,500 who have been awarded this patriotic distinction (currently, just over 60 recipients are still living), she volunteered and "was immediately moved by the stories of courage and sacrifice." The museum will be in Arlington and breaks ground in early 2022, with an anticipated opening in 2024. Approximate date of the photo. 2002. The occasion. My father's 60th birthday party, which was a James Bond theme. What you were wearing. I'm pretty sure it's Peggy Jennings. I wish I still had the dress! What price fashion. Unfortunately, I don't remember. I have a tendency to do that on things I've paid too much for. Why this is a Bomb.com picture. It's a Bomb.com picture because doesn't everyone want to be a Bond girl? SHE'S THE BOMB CHARLOTTE JONES B Y B I L L Y F O N G Charlotte Jones and Jerry Jones, 2002 96