Channel Mourns Loss Of ‘Big-Hearted’ And ‘Ever-Giving’ Solution Provider CEO Andy Jones
‘Whether it was riding a bike or in a boardroom driving sales growth, he had a way of winning people’s hearts and minds,’ said ControlUp CEO Jed Ayres, a longtime friend of Jones. ‘You felt like you could do anything with Andy inspiring you onward.’
Fortress Security Risk Management CEO Andy Jones, a “big-hearted, selfless and ever-giving” solution provider executive and philanthropist, is being remembered for his ability to inspire others to give back and do great things.
Jones, an aviator and longtime CEO — whose entrepreneurial drive helped build Fortress and solution provider MCPc into standout companies — died in a helicopter crash on Friday, March 14. He was 52.
As captain of the Agents of Hope – a one-time MCPc-affiliated cycling team – Jones led a team that raised more than $1 million over 14 years in the American Cancer Society’s annual Pan Ohio Hope ride.
Jones’ passing came just one week after his wife of 29 years, Amy, 56, passed away following a battle with metastatic breast cancer.
“Andy was an eternal optimist – a big-hearted, selfless and ever-giving leader, always lifting other people up,” said Jed Ayres, the CEO of ControlUp, a friend who worked side-by-side with Jones for a decade at both MCPc and solution provider MTM Technologies.
“Working alongside him you felt like anything was possible,” Ayres said. “Whether it was riding a bike or in a boardroom driving sales growth, he had a way of winning people’s hearts and minds. You felt like you could do anything with Andy inspiring you onward.”
Jones, a former U.S. Army paratrooper with an ever-present crew cut, started out as a computer teacher before starting his solution provider career in 1999 as a managing consultant for MTM Technologies in Cincinnati.
An engineer at heart, Jones – whose LinkedIn profile declares “Excellence is a Team Sport” — was a technical whiz who was always inspiring others with his “intellect, work ethic, values and humor,” said Ayres, recalling that Jones used to joke that he used to “jump out of perfectly good planes” in the Army
Ayres said Jones’ self-deprecating humor endeared him to every coworker. “He couldn’t walk through an office without making a connection with everyone in the office with a comment or two,” said Ayres. “He was like the pied piper. He always had something funny or cheerful to say to every single person. He was one of those people that was always upbeat and positive.”
Whether it was coworkers, customers or vendor partners, Jones’ love of people and his commitment to “always doing the right thing” made him an extraordinary leader, said Ayres.
“No matter what the cost was Andy would always do the right thing for the customer,” said Ayres. “He built these enduring relationships with big blue chip companies in the Ohio Valley. He was the ultimate leader and relationship builder both inside and outside the company.”
Jones was also a tech visionary of sorts always looking for the next big wave in technology.
“Andy was a big thinker,” said Ayres. “He knew where the industry was going and what the next right move was to be successful. I remember him coming to meet me in San Francisco to tell me he was going to MCPc and that we could do great things together there together. I followed him because I knew with him beside me, we could do great things.”
At MCPc, Jones worked with Ayres and founder Mike Trebilcock on a build-out that resulted in the company doubling in sales, with Jones rising up the ranks to take over as president and then CEO.
Jones insisted that Ayres, who would come to Cleveland once a month for a week, stay with him, his wife and three daughters, rather than at a hotel. “That was classic Andy, always giving, ready to open up his home,” he said.
Jones was a consummate leader who would always inspiring others either to go above and beyond serving customers or in fund raising for a worthy cause.
“Andy was someone people would follow,” said Ayres. “He formed Team MCPc to raise funds to battle cancer with 30 to 40 people all raising money for cancer. He just had a way of getting people who had never done serious bike riding to compete in four day, 384-mile Pan Ohio Bike Ride. He had an uncanny ability to find the best in people. I remember Andy building bikes for MCPc team members had never written a bike in their entire lives. He would train with them so they could participate on the team. That was Andy to a tee.”
Ayres himself was inspired to take on bicycling by Jones. In fact, Jones built Ayres’ first bike and inspired him to successfully take on six Iron Man competitions.
MSSP Trailblazer
Jones used his “Midas” touch to build MCPc — which as of last year ranked at No. 189 on CRN’s Solution Provider 500 — into a powerhouse that was able to sell its advanced technology integration group to Logicalis in a $42 million deal in 2015.
Later, Fortress Security Risk Management began as a cybersecurity unit within MCPc but was carved out in 2021, with Jones leading the charge to build out a set of fully outsourced or co-managed service offerings. Jones built Fortress into one of the preeminent managed security service providers in the country, well before the term MSSP had become fashionable. In fact, the Fortress team helped pioneer that model with its suite of services and the SOC that it built out.
“What we were driving toward was a business that would address the security services talent gap,” Jones told CRN last year after Fulcrum International Partners, the $1 billion international solution provider behemoth, acquired Fortress. “I referred to it as the ‘cyber haves and have nots.’ Out of the gate, the vision we had was since there was a shortage of cyber talent, let’s focus on building a set of managed cybersecurity outcomes that provided the most resilient experience we could for midmarket and small enterprise.”
An Outpouring of Love
Jones’ passing prompted an outpouring of love for him and his family on social media.
Geoff Green, a distinguished product manager at MSP platform provider N-Able, said Jones was a “boss, a mentor, a friend… and to me, the older brother that I never had.” Since the day the two met in 2004, Green said Jones “pointed the way and set the example, as only an (Army) Ranger can,” not only at work, but in life.
“Thank you, my friend, for having my back - I will always have yours,” he wrote.”Until we meet again, I commit to keep fighting…and uphold the highest standards that you set for yourself and everyone around you. Rest easy, my brother - we got you from here.”
Jeffrey Turner, president of Modern Avionics & Maintenance Inc, said it was hard to find the words to describe how extraordinary Jones was as an “amazing husband to his beautiful bride Amy” and a “remarkable” father to three beautiful girls, Julia, Jocelyn and Gweneth. “The amount of love and gratitude that he shared about these young ladies is what a true father figure exemplifies,” said Turner.
“A WONDERFUL friend to so many,” wrote Turner. “Andy would give his WHOLE heart to a conversation, a friend in need or a shoulder to lean on. I have never met a person that had the outreach of friendship like Andy. He left an impression on everyone that he came into contact with in such a way that left smiles for a lifetime! A TRUE FRIEND!”
Fortress Security, for its part, mourned Jones as a “beloved” friend, mentor, aviation enthusiast and philanthropist.
“Andy was so much more than a leader—he was the heart and soul of Fortress SRM,” wrote the company. “His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment helped shape the company into what it is today. He approached every challenge with determination, every opportunity with excitement, and every success with humility.”
Jones’ impact extended far beyond Fortress, the company said. “He was a true aviation enthusiast who found joy and freedom in the skies, often sharing those moments with family and friends. Whether in the boardroom or the cockpit, Andy lived life with passion, purpose, and generosity,” said the company. “Andy was devoted to making the world a better place. His philanthropic efforts were nothing short of inspiring. He dedicated himself to giving back to the community and worked tirelessly to support cancer research through the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.”
“His compassion and drive to make a difference have left an indelible mark on all who knew him,” the company said. “We mourn the loss of a remarkable leader, mentor, and friendAndy’s legacy will continue to guide and inspire us. His vision, generosity, and adventurous spirit will never be forgotten.Our thoughts are with Andy’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Fly high, Andy.”
In his obituary on the Busch funeral home website, Jones is remembered as a “loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, known for his humor and storytelling. Andy's legacy is one of love, dedication, and passion for life. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of loving him and being loved by him.”
“Fascinated with computers and technology,” the obituary reads, “Andy was a computer teacher before trailblazing his way through the IT and cybersecurity field. He was a successful leader, entrepreneur, business owner, and board member. Andy authored several books in computer software and was a leader in cybersecurity and technology. He was considered to be a personal mentor to many individuals in his chosen fields of expertise, and he found joy in fostering the skills of and passing on his wisdom to the next generation.”
Just days after his wife passed away, Jones was determined to continue to raise cancer research funds for the Pan Ohio Hope Ride 2025 on July 24-27.
In an email titled, “Spring is NEARLY here... and I am BACK on the ROAD to HELP! – POHR (Pan Ohio Hope Ride) 2025,” Jones wrote that it was originally his mother, Doris Ann, who died from an aggressive form of brain cancer at the “young age” of 59 that was his “why” for raising funds for cancer research.
“Like most of us, my mother had a profound impact on my life, none more so than introducing me to the woman just over 30 years ago who would eventually become my wife, an introduction that I continue to thank my mother to this day for making!” wrote Jones. “As a FEW of you know... that wife, my love bride Amy, has now become my PRIMARY "WHY"... Amy was diagnosed less than TWO months ago with cancer. To the extreme sadness of our entire family, Amy passed away last week due to complications and illness related to her cancer. We had just celebrated her 56th birthday and were about to celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary. We are shattered... as you would expect. I am filled with a bewildering array of emotions and thoughts... BUT... I am more resolved than ever to make this ride. More resolved to build our team... and get more folks involved in the fight.”
Ayres, who is attending a celebration of life for Jones and his wife, Amy, today, said he is beyond heartbroken for Jones’ three daughters, Julia, Jocelyn and Gweneth. “It is an unfathomable that Andy and his wife could both die within a two-week span,” he said. “The trauma and tragedy is beyond comprehension. My message to the world is, hug your family and tell them you love them.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made on Amy and Andy's behalf to the American Cancer Society, http://panohio.info/AmyJones.
