Cox Enterprises names Dallas Clement, EVP & CFO

Dallas Clement

Dallas Clement has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer of Cox Enterprises, effective July 1. Clement will report to Cox Enterprises President & CEO John Dyer and succeeds Doug Franklin, who will retire from Cox Aug. 1.

Upon assuming his new role, Clement will be responsible for the company's treasury, financial reporting and control, as well as tax, audit and financial planning and analysis functions. He also has responsibility for public policy, supply chain services, energy management, information technology, risk management and legal.

"Dallas is a veteran Cox leader who not only has acquired invaluable corporate and multi-divisional experience during his 25 years at Cox, but also possesses the ideal skill set to lead our financial organization during this time of expansion and growth," said Dyer. "I look forward to having him join Cox's executive leadership team."

Most recently, Clement served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Cox Automotive, the largest automotive marketplace and leading provider of software solutions to auto dealers throughout the U.S. He led all finance, legal, real estate, technology, strategy and corporate development functions across Cox Automotive's financial services, wholesale auctions, digital media, software-as-a-service and international businesses. Prior to the formation of Cox Automotive, Clement served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of AutoTrader Group for three years.  Before joining AutoTrader Group, Clement spent 20 years at Cox Communications, most recently serving as the executive vice president and chief strategy and product management officer.  

In 2004, Clement received the National Cable Television Association Vanguard Award for Young Leadership. He also serves on the boards of the Atlanta Beltline Partnership, Technology Association of Georgia, BitAuto, Unwired Planet and Junior Achievement of Georgia.  Clement received a Bachelor of Arts in applied mathematics and economics from Harvard College and holds a Master of Science in engineering-economic systems from Stanford University.

"I'm looking forward to working with the team and helping to navigate the many opportunities available to Cox Enterprises and its businesses," said Clement.

After an impressive 38-year career at Cox, Franklin has made the decision to retire from the only company for which he's ever worked. He joined the Cox organization as a door-to-door circulation solicitor for Dayton Newspapers in 1977 while attending college. He worked in various financial roles at Cox's Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and the Longview (Texas) News-Journal before returning to Dayton Newspapers in 1986 as business manager, later being promoted to executive vice president and general manager.

In 2004, Franklin became president and chief executive officer of Cox Ohio Publishing and publisher of the Dayton Daily News, after which assuming the role of president and publisher of Cox-owned Palm Beach Newspapers in 2008. In 2009, he became executive vice president of newspapers for Cox Media Group, in addition to being named publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and later that year was named executive vice president of Cox Media Group. He was named president of Cox Media Group in 2011 and two years later, assumed the role of Cox Enterprises executive vice president and chief financial officer.

"Doug's career at Cox is nothing short of remarkable and is an inspiring story of commitment, perseverance and dedication," said Dyer. "I am truly grateful to Doug for his nearly four decades of service to Cox and wish him all the best in his retirement."

"I've been fortunate to have had a fabulous run with a remarkable family company, and I'm proud to have played a small part in its history and future," said Franklin. "I'm thankful to the Cox family, our great people, teams and for the wonderful experiences over my career. I will miss the daily interaction with our folks but know the talent within Cox ensures a prosperous future."