Longtime executive named CEO of Cox Enterprises

Jimmy W. Hayes, a longtime executive of Cox Communications Inc., has been named CEO of Cox Enterprises Inc., the company said Tuesday. He previously was the president and chief operating officer for Cox Enterprises, a position he has held for about three years.

He replaces James C. Kennedy, 61, who is stepping down after 20 years as CEO. Kennedy said he would remain company chairman and chairman of the board’s executive committee.

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James C. Kennedy is stepping down after 20 years as CEO of Cox Enterprises.

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Jimmy W. Hayes, who started at Cox Communications in 1980, was named CEO of Cox Enterprises.

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“I have been the CEO of Cox Enterprises for 20 years and I feel that is long enough,” Kennedy said in a statement. “Jimmy Hayes has earned the opportunity to be chief executive officer of this company and in these difficult times, Jimmy’s skills and experience are perfectly suited for the job.

“As chairman of the board, I am not going anywhere. I will still be around to provide Jimmy all the support that I can.”

During Kennedy’s tenure, Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises increased annual revenues to $15 billion in 2007, up from $1.8 billion in 1988. The company has 83,000 employees in the United States and internationally. Cox Enterprises operates 300 separate businesses.

Two subsidiaries — Cox Communications and Cox Radio — went public while Kennedy was CEO. Cox also expanded its Internet portfolio, including an equity stake in AutoTrader.com, the leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information Web site.

Hayes will continue to oversee Cox Communications, Manheim Auctions, Cox Media Group and Cox Auto Trader as well as other corporate operations. The newly formed Cox Media Group includes Cox Newspapers, which owns the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Hayes is a board member of Cox Enterprises and Cox Radio.

Hayes, 55, started at Cox Communications in 1980. He held various jobs, including executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer, before moving to Cox Enterprises at the end of 2005.