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From left: Tyrrie Knox, Desiree Tavan and Michelle Sheffie demonstrate three services Cox Communications offers its customers — Internet, phone and cable.
Photo by Frank Aymami
T H R E E - T I M E H O N O R E E
Cox Communications
Network Engineer Tyrrie Knox and Cox
Communications had several years to try
each other on for size, but Knox says it didn’t
take him long to like the fit.
He joined the company full time in 2002 after
having been a student intern since 1996.
“I was able to see the atmosphere, how the
people work together,” Knox said. “There are a lot
of good people here, and it’s a really welcoming
company. So they kind of won me over early on.”
Knox said he especially appreciates the
employee benefits package — and not just
because of the free cable.
Cox gives employees discounts on big-ticket
items such as new cars and purchases at
Best Buy, plus free Internet and discounted
phone services.
Knox also touted the company’s celebrations,
from costume-wearing days during
Carnival season to off-site fried turkey feasts.
Steve Sawyer, Cox’s vice president of public
affairs, said the family-oriented atmosphere
extends from senior management on down.
“That was never more evident than after
Katrina, when this company really stepped up
for our employees, put everything on the line
and said, ‘No matter what happens, you’ve got
a job, and we’re going to help you through
these times,’” he said.
Inside sales supervisor Michelle Sheffie is
responsible for developing and motivating a
team of 10 sales agents at Cox. She was hired
in 2000 as a universal account services representative,
a customer service position. She
eventually moved up the ranks to become a
leader in the technical support division before
making yet another transition into sales.
She said she received a lot of mentoring on
the job, along with lessons in how to provide that
type of support for those she would supervise.
“I have been very privileged to have a lot of
great coaches surrounding me from day one
here in the organization,” she said.
Sheffie describes the culture at Cox as a
combination of freedom and interdependence.
“They have allowed the employees to make
Nature of business: telecommunications
Where based: Metairie
Employees: 655
Average starting salary: $33,000
Median salary: $50,000
Average employment time: nine years
Benefits: health care with 80 percent coverage, dental, vision
and prescription plans, unmarried partner benefits, paid maternity
leave, 401(k) with 6 percent match, continuing education, relocation
assistance, telecommuting, flexible hours, employee recognition
program, fitness program
Wait time for benefits: none
Paid days off: 31
Web site: www.cox.com
decisions,” she said. “I feel like I have a voice,
(that) I’m a contributor in this environment.
When I need guidance … there is always somebody
there to help.”
Sawyer has been with the company for 19
years and has more than 35 years of experience
in the cable industry. He said Cox is different
than other places he’s worked, where top executives
often were isolated from other employees.
“You can walk into the senior vice president/general
manager’s office and start a conversation
just as easily as you could walk into
anybody’s office,” Sawyer said. “It’s such an
open environment where everybody is treated
equally and fairly.”•
— Sonya Stinson
12 2009 Best Places to Work