Becomes Bell Helicopter's VP For Communications

Mike Cox has been appointed Vice President of Communications for Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company. Cox replaces Carl Harris who retired recently after 38 years with the company. In making the announcement, Bell CEO Michael Redenbaugh said, "Mike's three decades as a public relations professional with both government and industry brings an enormous capability to Bell at a critical time in our path to become a world premiere company."

Cox joined Bell in 1998 as Media Relations Manager, following a 26-year career in the US Air Force retiring as a Colonel. More recently he has been serving as Acting Director of Public Affairs & Advertising.

A graduate of the Ohio University School of Journalism, Cox was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force in 1971. A career public relations officer in the Air Force, Cox served in a wide variety of commands at bases throughout the US, including duty on the Air Force Staff at the Pentagon. In addition Cox served in critical public and press relations assignments overseas during US military operations in Grenada, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as well as Somalia.

During his final assignment with the US Air Force, Cox was the Director of Public Affairs for the Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, IL, where he had global responsibility for all public and press relations involving AMC assets.

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.textron.com