James C. Kennedy Biography

James Cox Kennedy is an American media executive and is the chairman of Cox Enterprises, the media conglomerate founded by his grandfather, James M. Cox. According to the Forbes 400 list in 2008, he is the 49th richest person in the United States, through his $6.5 billion stake in the company.

Personal life and education

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of Barbara Cox Anthony and airline executive Stanley C. Kennedy, Jr. His maternal grandfather was James M. Cox, the 46th and 48th governor of Ohio, newspaper publisher and broadcaster. In 2007, James C. Kennedy inherited 25% stake in Cox Enterprises after his mother died. Kennedy now serves as Cox Enterprises chairman. His sister is Blair Parry-Okeden, Australia's second richest woman.

Kennedy received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Denver in 1970. In 2003, James C. Kennedy received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Kennesaw State University, located in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Career

James C. Kennedy began his career with Cox Enterprises in 1972. Kennedy worked in a variety of media roles throughout his career with Cox Enterprises. He began his career with Cox Newspapers where he held a variety of positions in the newspaper industry that include production assistant, reporter, copy editor, advertising salesman, business manager, and executive vice president/general manager in Atlanta, Georgia. He also served as president of Grand Junction Newspapers, Inc. located in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1979 and was quickly named publisher of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, where he worked the back shop as well as on the newsroom floor. He was known as the "New Kid." Soon after, James C. Kennedy returned to Atlanta, Georgia where in 1986, he was named executive vice president of Cox Enterprises.

Educational and Community Outreach

Recognized for his contributions to the community, James C. Kennedy and his wife Sarah were awarded the Philanthropists of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Fund-raising Professionals in 2003. In 2004, he was inducted into Georgia State University's J. Mack Robinson College of Business Hall of Fame.

James C. Kennedy has also remained closely connected to his alma mater, the University of Denver. He has contributed to the University of Denver by serving as a member of DU's Board of Trustees. In 2008, James C. Kennedy gave The University of Denver a ten million dollar gift to create the James C. Kennedy Institute for Educational Success in the Morgridge College of Education. The purpose of this institute is to identify innovative and cost-effective means for promoting and sustaining the educational success of vulnerable children.

Considered to be a nature enthusiast, James C. Kennedy once served as Chairman of the Colorado Division of Wildlife Commission. He currently serves on the boards of Ducks Unlimited Atlanta Committee for Progress and the PATH Foundation, and is also a former president of Wetlands America Trust, Inc. In 2008, James C. Kennedy also established the James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation in the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries of the College of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University. Kennedy's gift sustains in perpetuity the teaching, research, and outreach program in waterfowl and wetlands ecology and conservation at MSU.

Personal life

James C. Kennedy lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Sarah.