Atlanta - Dec 30, 2008 - Jimmy W. Hayes has been promoted to chief executive officer of Cox Enterprises effective Jan. 1, 2009. James C. Kennedy will remain chairman of the company and chairman of the executive committee of the board.

As CEO, Hayes will provide oversight to Cox Communications, Manheim Auctions, Cox Media Group and Cox Auto Trader and several corporate headquarters groups, including financial operations, human resources, administration and business development. He also serves as a member on the board of directors of Cox Enterprises and of Cox Radio.

Kennedy has been the CEO of Cox Enterprises for 20 years and decided to step down on his own. Hayes joined Cox Enterprises after having spent 16 years of his career in various leadership roles at Cox Communications, last serving as its executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Hayes began his career at Cox in 1980, and in 1982 was named a corporate officer. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from the University of Georgia and in 1989 completed the program for management development at the Harvard Business School.

Hayes serves on the board of directors of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Savannah, GA, and is actively involved in Angel Flight of Georgia, an organization of volunteer pilots dedicated to providing air transportation to those with medical needs that can't be filled locally.