Our Story

 

Jimmy has an abundance of hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge about commercial and residential construction with over 30 years in the industry. He started out at an early age, unaware it would be his life’s work. He began by helping his father build custom and spec homes after school and during the summertime. He moved to Longview in 1981 and married his high school sweetheart, Melissa, in 1983. He then started framing and doing carpentry work to help put him through college when “the bottom fell out” in the early ’80s. He tried to take a different direction then with his life, but the construction industry came calling again. He had just started J&M Construction with his wife Melissa when he was approached with an opportunity to learn the commercial side of the industry. He was their project manager for 9 years. When the owner decided to retire, Jimmy knew it was time to start Cox Builders, Inc. in 2004. 

 

Jimmy and his wife, Melissa, have lived in the Longview area for 40 years. 2022 will be their 39th wedding anniversary. They have three daughters and a son in law. One of their twin daughters, Haley, graduated from UT Tyler, Cum Laude, with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). She now works as an Aesthetic Injector at It's A Secret Med-Spa in Longview. Their daughters Alyssa and Valerie and their son in law, Kyle Spyhalski, also found a passion for construction and are helping to innovate and develop Cox Builders, Inc. into a second generation company.

 

Alyssa was born in Longview in 1997. After graduating from Hallsville High School in 2016, she decided she would follow her oldest sister's footsteps and attend UT Tyler to pursue her Bachelor's of Business Administration in Management. Alyssa graduated from UT Tyler, Summa Cum Laude, in 2019. She worked as an Advisor Assistant in the Soules College of Business at UT Tyler through college. After graduating, she began working as an Academic Advisor in the Soules College of Business at UT Tyler. Business management was always her passion, so naturally, she felt compelled to begin her career back home in Longview and join the family in the construction business where she could utilize her skills in management. Alyssa has recently joined her family's company as an Administrative Assistant. She completes operational requirements that help support our team and projects. She is essential as Cox Builders, Inc. and Cox Builders Too, LLC continue to grow.

 

Valerie was born in Longview in 1985. After graduating from Hallsville High School, she attended college to pursue her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. She graduated from UT Tyler, Magna Cum Laude, in 2007. She worked her way up to management in retail while going to college. After graduating from UT Tyler, she went to work for a Fortune 500 company to learn their management program. In 2011, she decided her heart was truly with the family business and began working as the Office Manager at Cox Builders, Inc. Since she has joined her family’s company, she has been an essential part of creating and managing our residential company, Cox Builder’s Too, LLC. Like her parents, she also has an eye for detail and design. She is passionate about residential design and construction from planning to completion. She puts her whole heart into each project, embracing the vision of each client and providing an enjoyable building experience. 

 

Kyle was born in Longview in 1984. He started working at an early age building and maintaining swimming pools for his father’s company, Spy Bros Pools. After graduating from Hallsville High School in 2003, he began working for Jimmy doing carpentry work. After several years of experience in the commercial construction industry, he became an irreplaceable asset to Cox Builders, Inc. He married his high school sweetheart, Valerie Cox, in 2008 and they now have two beautiful children that will also grow up in Hallsville Schools. Kyle enjoys serving on the Hallsville Baseball Association as a board member. He and Valerie are also members of Mobberly Baptist Church. Kyle’s heart for people and service embraces the values of our family and business. He and Valerie look forward to continuing the legacy of Cox Builders, Inc.