Newell Cox

If you’ve ever stepped foot on a jobsite with T. Newell Cox, you know he brings a presence that commands respect – not through volume, but through wisdom, humility, and decades of experience. As the second-longest tenured associate at Chesapeake Contracting Group, Newell’s journey with the company began in 1988, but his story in construction started long before that. 

Newell grew up in a family of builders. His grandfather entered the industry in the 1920s as a field engineer, eventually rising to become president of his company. His father followed suit, spending his early career at Consolidated Engineering before founding Concord Engineering Co. alongside a group of partners. For young Newell, summers meant heading to job sites, first as a laborer, then as a carpenter’s apprentice. “I went to jobsites with my father when I was a kid,” he recalls. “That’s where I learned what hard work really meant.” 

His professional journey took off at a large-scale GC in their industrial division, where he managed high-intensity shutdown projects at Procter & Gamble and Lever Brothers. Later, he moved to McCormick Construction before Jack Rose, founder of what was then Kasco Chesapeake Builders Incorporated, brought him on board. Newell has been part of the Chesapeake family ever since. 

Throughout his nearly four-decade career, Newell has become Chesapeake’s go-to expert in the grocery and automotive market sectors. These aren’t just projects to him, they’re relationships, many of which span generations. “I cut my teeth working for MileOne and their owner Jerry Fader,” he says. “Now, we’re building for his grandchildren. It’s been that long.” With more than 50 grocery stores under his belt, ranging from Safeway and Giant to Sprouts, Harris Teeter, and Fresh Market, Newell understands the nuances of these fast-paced, detail-oriented sectors better than anyone. “The challenge,” he explains, “is to know these markets and the type of construction required as well as the client does. Act in their best interest and respect what’s important to them. Focus on the client, and everything else will take care of itself.” 

Newell’s management style is rooted in trust, transparency, and perspective. He believes in staying calm under pressure, not sweating the small stuff, but never losing sight of the details that define excellence. “Finish strong, be honest and upfront in everything you do,” he says. “Mistakes happen. Find the solution, move forward, and learn from the experience.” 

When asked what’s changed during his 37 years at Chesapeake, Newell reflects on how far the company has come. “We were a small group back then,” he says. “We did everything – bid work, chase new clients, buy the job, and build it. The phrase was: bid it, buy it, build it.” While the company has grown and evolved in size, systems, and strategy, Newell is quick to point out that one thing has remained constant: the relentless focus on project success and client satisfaction. “Understanding what success looks like for the client and doing what is right – that has always guided us.” 

It’s no surprise that Chesapeake’s Core Values, Respectful and Relationships resonate most with him. “You have to be respectful of everyone’s effort,” he says. “Know that people are doing the best they can. Lift them up when needed. Guide them when they get off track. Treat others the way you want to be treated.” 

At Chesapeake, we know that leadership is about more than job titles, it’s about character, commitment, and consistency. That’s exactly what Newell Cox brings to the table every day. We are proud to feature him in our Captains of Chesapeake series—a tribute to the leaders who have shaped our legacy and continue to lead us into the future.