James C. Kennedy
James Cox Kennedy | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 29, 1947 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S. |
| Occupation | Media executive |
| Known for | Chairman of Cox Enterprises |
James Cox Kennedy (born November 29, 1947) is an American media leader and currently chairs Cox Enterprises, the diversified corporation established by his grandfather, James M. Cox. By 2017, he was ranked as the 105th wealthiest individual worldwide, 37th in the United States, and held the distinction of being Georgia’s richest person.
Personal life and education
Kennedy was born in Honolulu, then part of the Territory of Hawaii, to parents Barbara Cox Anthony and Stanley C. Kennedy Jr., an airline executive. Upon his mother's death in 2007, he inherited a quarter ownership of Cox Enterprises and now serves as its chairman. His sister, Blair Parry-Okeden, is recognized as one of Australia’s most affluent figures.
He completed a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Denver in 1970. Additionally, he was awarded honorary doctorates from Kennesaw State University in 2003 and from Colorado State University in 2018.
Kennedy lives in Atlanta with his wife, Sarah, and they have three grown children along with three grandchildren.
Career
Kennedy’s professional journey at Cox Enterprises began in 1972, where he undertook multiple roles across the media spectrum at Cox Newspapers, including positions such as production assistant, reporter, copy editor, advertising sales representative, business manager, and executive vice president/general manager based in Atlanta. In 1979, he advanced to president of Grand Junction Newspapers, Inc. and publisher of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, gaining comprehensive experience overseeing both production and editorial departments. Returning to Atlanta in 1986, he assumed the role of executive vice president at Cox Enterprises. His contributions were recognized with induction into the Technology Association of Georgia's Technology Hall of Fame in 2016.
A 2015 profile by Forbes titled "This Billionaire Knows The Secret To Saving A Family Business" emphasized his effective stewardship in preserving Cox Enterprises’ legacy.
Educational and community outreach
In 2003, Kennedy and his wife Sarah received the Philanthropists of the Year award from the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Fund-raising Professionals. The following year, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business. He founded the Jim Kennedy Scholarship Fund to assist children of Cox employees, distributing ten scholarships annually worth up to $40,000 each.
Kennedy sustains a close affiliation with the University of Denver, serving on its board of trustees. In 2008, he contributed $10 million to establish the James C. Kennedy Institute for Educational Success at the Morgridge College of Education, which focuses on pioneering educational approaches for at-risk youth.
An avid nature lover, Kennedy has chaired the Colorado Division of Wildlife Commission and sits on the board of the PATH Foundation. His conservation efforts extend through leadership roles with Ducks Unlimited, Atlanta Committee for Progress, and Wetlands America Trust. In 2008, he endowed the James C. Kennedy Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation at Mississippi State University to support ongoing ecological research and outreach.
In 2013, Kennedy funded a Wellness Center at Tallahatchie General Hospital located in Charleston, Mississippi, which opened its doors in 2016 with backing from state legislators. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced a land exchange agreement with Kennedy in 2014 aimed at protecting Mississippi’s wildlife habitats while enhancing public recreational opportunities.
His philanthropic portfolio includes a $3.3 million donation to Clemson University for establishing the James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center and a $3.1 million gift to Colorado State University to create an endowed chair dedicated to wetlands and waterfowl conservation. For his dedication to natural resource preservation, Wetlands America Trust honored him with their National Blue-winged Teal Award in 2014.
Kennedy has spoken on sustainability at Fortune’s Brainstorm Green conference and led Cox Enterprises’ engagement with the American Business Act on Climate Change Pledge.
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014, Kennedy motivated Cox employees to participate in Movember campaigns promoting men’s health awareness, helping raise close to $2 million for related foundations. Now cancer-free, he advocates for early health screenings within his company. In 2015, he announced a $25 million grant from the James M. Cox Foundation directed toward prostate cancer research initiatives at Emory University.
Right of way dispute
Kennedy found himself at the center of a legal conflict concerning public access rights to an 8-mile segment of the Ruby River that crosses his property in Montana. Ultimately, the Montana Supreme Court ruled unfavorably toward his position.