A Johnson City native, Mitch Cox has been instrumental in creating Johnson City’s business and residential communities through real estate development, general contracting, and property management for over thirty years.

In 1971, Mitch earned a BS degree from East Tennessee State University majoring in Economics. He began his first design-build project in 1979 and has since followed with numerous developments, such as Mountcastle Centre, University Plaza, Park Place, Princeton Square, Sunset Professional Park, Sunset East, Sunset West, Knob Creek Marketplace, Peoples Crossing, Perimeter Plaza, Waterbrooke Professional Park and Med Tech Plaza.

In addition to his contributions in commercial real estate, Mitch has added an impressive list of residential communities to the Tri-Cities area, such as Waterbrooke, The Ridges Overlook, The Villas at Netherland Lane, and Hunter’s Lake – which includes an assisted-living facility. Mitch has also developed hotels in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, and Illinois.

Mitch has served on the Boards of The United Way, Contact Ministry, Mountain States Foundation, Blue Ridge Medical Management, Coalition for Kids, Inc., Holston United Methodist Home for Children, Johnson City Country Club and Buffalo Mountain Camp. In 1989, he was recognized by the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce as “Small Business Person of the Year.” In 2005, he was recognized as a “Leader in Christian Service” by Milligan College. In May 2006, he received the “Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Laureate” recognition for his focus on responsibility, ethics, leadership and the encouragement of youth. Mitch has also received the “Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow Award” for his service to the organization and to the community.

Having a desire to give back to the community in areas involving spiritual growth, Mitch has been blessed to serve and give in many ways. He is a member of the United Emmaus Community, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and along with his wife, Barbara, is active in Munsey Church. He is the founder of Coalition for Kids, Inc. a youth faith-based ministry and after-school mentoring and tutoring program located in East Johnson City. He has served on Kairos Prison Ministry teams spending weekends inside Northeast State Correctional Facility ministering to prisoners. He also supports youth programs like Junior Achievement, Young Life, Doe River Gorge, and Boy Scouts of America.

Golf is Mitch’s primary leisure interest, and in 2005, 2006 and 2012 he enjoyed playing in the Tennessee Senior Amateur tournaments where he finished in the top 20 both years. He was also the Senior Club Champion at The Ridges Golf and Country Club in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Mitch lives in Johnson City with his wife, Barbara, and his son, Philip, is a partner in Mitch Cox Companies.