J. David Cox

National Secretary-Treasurer
American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO

Jeffrey David Cox Sr. is the national secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the nation's largest union representing federal and D.C. government employees. He was reelected by acclamation during the union's 38th convention in August 2009. Cox's goals as secretary-treasurer include upgrading AFGE's use of technology. Building on the success of My Local, AFGE's online membership database, NST Cox is leading the union on the development of similar tools for bargaining councils (My Council) and regional districts (My District).  These tools assist council officers and national-vice presidents with monitoring membership and financial data. Cox also plans to continue the union's outstanding training programs, including the expansion of the union's online financial officers training.

NST Cox is known for his passion for organizing. During his first term, AFGE realized a membership increase of more than 30,000 members. Cox continues his commitment to increasing the political clout of AFGE by increasing the size and scope of the union's political action committee and its legislative action fund.

As a nationally recognized labor leader, Cox serves on the Federal Salary Council and the Federal Prevailing Wage Council.  He is vice president of the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, a position he has held since 1993, and a member of the AFL-CIO's National Secretary-Treasurers Group.

In addition to his efforts on behalf of working families, Cox remains committed to our nation's veterans. Prior to serving as NST, Cox served more than 11 years as first executive vice president of the AFGE National Veterans Affairs (VA) Council and 18 years as president of Local 1738, which encompasses several North Carolina VA facilities in Salisbury, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Fayetteville and Durham. He also served as co-chair of the VA National Partnership Council from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2006. He is currently, vice co-chair of the AFL-CIO's Union Veterans Council, which seeks to help veterans with employment opportunities through the VA and in the building trades.

Cox began his private sector career in health care in 1970 as a food service worker and later became a licensed practical nurse in 1972. In 1983, Cox became a registered nurse and started a public sector career with the VA that lasted until September 2006 when he assumed his current position as secretary-treasurer.

A native of North Carolina, Cox is a graduate of North Carolina's Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and a former member of its board of trustees. Cox also attended Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. Cox and his wife Lynn, a VA appeals management center employee, have two adult children, Jeff and John. John currently serves as president of United Transportation Workers Union Local 783 in Linwood, NC.

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