Growing Up Cox
The funny thing is , when Jim was young , he didn ’ t really know anything about his grandfather ’ s business . Growing up in Hawaii , he heard about the company from his mother , Barbara Cox , but didn ’ t really understand what it was . He recalled later , “ I was very young , and I knew something was out there , but I had no idea of its scope .”
When he joined the business in 1972 , he began to better understand its reach , but he didn ’ t truly feel the impact , breadth and depth of Cox until he became chairman and CEO in 1988 .
“ I know it ’ s always said , ‘ Our employees are our greatest asset ,’ but the truth is they mean more to him than anything . Honestly , he worries all the time if the employees have enough or , ‘ Are we doing enough for the employees ?’”
Debbie Aldrich , executive administrative assistant , Cox Enterprises
Jim must have thought that was a good way to raise a child , as his daughter , Barbara Kennedy Harty , a trustee and member of the James M . Cox Foundation board , experienced something similar .
“ When I was young , I didn ’ t really understand what his job was ,” she recalled . “ I knew he was very busy , traveled a lot and must have had an important role at Cox , but what it was I didn ’ t know because he really left his work at the office .”
Barbara shared that when Jim was home , he was home . She never felt , no matter what was happening , that he carried the weight home with him . He wanted to be with the people he loved and do the things he cared about , like hanging out with his dogs , exercising or being there to support his children ’ s activities . When he would take time off work , they spent it together — traveling , hunting , fishing or doing anything outdoors .
Gov . Cox holding his grandson , Jim Kennedy , with Jim Cox Jr . seated nearby
Barbara Harty with her father , Jim Kennedy
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