Early Life
James Cox Kennedy was born on November 29, 1947, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the son of Barbara Cox Anthony and Stanley C. Kennedy Jr., and the grandson of James M. Cox, a former Ohio governor and media magnate. Kennedy received a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of Denver.
Rise to Success
Kennedy's career began in 1972 with Cox Enterprises, where he held several positions in the media industry. He served as president of Grand Junction Newspapers, Inc., and publisher of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. In 1986, he was named executive vice president of Cox Enterprises. Kennedy inherited a 25% stake in Cox Enterprises after his mother's death in 2007. He was named chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises in 1988. Under his leadership, the company's annual revenues increased from $1.8 billion to $20 billion. He stepped down as CEO in 2008 and served as chairman until 2021.
Key Business Strategies
Kennedy's strategies include a focus on sustainability, with Cox Conserves, a national sustainability program that aims to send zero waste to landfill by 2024 and become carbon and water neutral by 2034. The company has invested nearly $140 million in sustainability and conservation projects and grants since 2007.
Philanthropy
Kennedy is involved in various philanthropic initiatives, supporting education, healthcare, and sustainability. He established the Jim Kennedy Scholarship Fund, providing financial aid to children of Cox employees. He has also given to Emory University, with more than $60 million in contributions to address Alzheimer's disease, patient-centered care models, and cancer research. Kennedy has also supported early childhood education, giving more than $16 million in foundation grants to organizations such as the Atlanta Speech School. He has also donated to conservation efforts and has been recognized for his contributions.
