Van Jones (born on September 20, 1968) is a civil rights advocate, an environment activist and a lawyer born in Tennessee who also represents four non-profit organizations. He was appointed via by President Barack Obama in early 2009 for the Special Advisor of the Green Jobs. Later that year he was under controversy over past political activity and under criticism by conservatives. He then resigned in September 2009. Jones is currently the senior fellow at Center for American Progress and the senior policy advisor for Green for All.