Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced on Tuesday the appointment of Richard Cox to the position of Chief Operating Officer for the city.

A press release from the mayor’s office described Cox as a loaned executive from Cox Automotive, a division of Cox Enterprises, a private company whose media properities inlcude The Atlanta Journal-Constition and Channel 2 Action News. The press release said that Cox will serve the city for one year before returning to his company.

The COO oversees the city’s operating departments, including Aviation, fire, police, corrections, parks and recreation, planning, public works, and watershed management.

As vice president of client advising and performance for Dealer.com, Cox currently leads a team that’s focused on client experience. He previously managed business, customer and consumer operations; analytics; and customer experience for Autotrader, Dealer.com and Kelley Blue Book. All three brands are part of Cox Automotive.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced her bid for Georgia governor in May. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP