James C. Kennedy
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Cox Enterprises, Inc.
James C. Kennedy, 56, is chairman and chief executive officer of privately-held Cox Enterprises, Inc., one of the nation's leading media companies and providers of automotive services. He is the grandson of former Ohio Governor and presidential candidate James M. Cox, who founded the company in 1898. He also serves as chairman of the board for Cox Radio, Inc. and Cox Communications, Inc.
Kennedy has been with Cox since 1972, starting as a production assistant with Atlanta newspapers, where he held various positions including reporter, copy editor, advertising salesman, business manager and executive vice president/general manager. In 1979, he was named president of Grand Junction (Colorado) Newspapers, Inc. and, a few months later, publisher of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.
In 1985, Kennedy transferred back to Atlanta as vice president of Cox Newspapers, a division of Cox Enterprises. He was named executive vice president of Cox Enterprises the following year, and in January 1988, after the retirement of Garner Anthony, Kennedy was named chairman and chief executive officer.
During Kennedy's tenure, Cox Enterprises has increased in size fivefold, growing annual revenues from $1.8 billion in 1988 to more than $9.9 billion at year-end 2002. Today, Cox is a top-10 nationally ranked player, based on revenues, in every major category where it competes. The company has 77,000 employees located throughout the U.S. and abroad, and operates 300 separate businesses. Two subsidiaries – Cox Communications, a leading broadband communications company, and Cox Radio – have become publicly traded since Kennedy has been CEO; at year-end 2002 these companies had a market capitalization of $17.8 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. Kennedy has also expanded Cox's Internet portfolio, which includes an equity stake in AutoTrader.com, the largest and most visited online source of vehicle listings for dealers and consumers.
Kennedy currently serves on the boards of Flagler System, Inc., Ducks Unlimited, and the PATH Foundation (People of Atlanta for Trails Here). He is also president of Wetlands America Trust, Inc.
A former competitive cyclist, Kennedy is a past Masters National, Pan American and World Champion in the 3000 meter pursuit. He served as captain of a four-man team that won the Race Across AMerica (RAAM) in 1992, setting a world's record. In 1994, the same team finished second, establishing a new American record. Kennedy was also one of five named to the United States Cycling Federation Master's All-American team and was the honorary chairman of the 1993, 1994 and 1995 Bike Tours of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Georgia Chapter. In 1997, he was named the honorary chairman of the Tour de Cure cycling event benefiting the American Diabetes Association.
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kennedy holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Denver.
