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Growing up fascinated by his grandfathers’ stories of military service, Taylor Cox leaned in early to a career in the military, attending West Point and serving in the U.S. Army from 2008 through 2016.
“My one grandfather was a U.S. Navy seaplane gunner and crewman in World War II and my other grandfather was a U.S. Air Force maintenance officer,” Taylor says. “I always knew I wanted to push myself to my limits and give back through military service.”
In the U.S. Army, Taylor served in a variety of roles and ranks, finishing as a Captain. During his time of service, Taylor says he enjoyed the overall sense of mission and the importance of his jobs and role as a soldier.
“Other highlights from my time in the military include the bonds I forged with others through shared hardship and the pride I felt serving my country,” Taylor says.
As much as he loved and appreciated his time in the military, as his initial service obligation was coming to an end, Taylor decided he didn’t want to work for another large corporate organization and saw an opportunity back in his family’s business. At that time, he was serving at a large military headquarters with a 15,000-soldier division and was exhausted by the bureaucracy and office politics.
“I wanted to be somewhere I could have a greater impact and be my own boss,” Taylor says. “I wanted the opportunity to be a small business owner, so I asked my father if I could work for him at Cox Hardware & Lumber to see if I would like it.”
Founded in 1946 by Taylor’s great-grandparents, Henry and Mary Cox, and grandfather, Lloyd Cox, Cox Hardware & Lumber focuses on basic hardware offerings, lumber and building materials and industrial supplies. During his own time in the military, Henry saved up enough money to start Cox Hardware & Lumber. The business was then passed to Lloyd and then Taylor’s father Virgil.
“When I left the military, it didn’t take long for me to realize I enjoyed working back in the family business,” Taylor says. “After a year, I agreed to learn and grow the business from my father, with the end goal of taking over the business and becoming the fourth-generation family owner.”
Growing up in the industry, Taylor says his dad never put any pressure on him or his sister to join the family business.
“I worked in the store over several summers, but never felt like I had to pursue working there as a career,” Taylor says. “Our father understood how hard retail is, and he never pushed us one way or another.”
From Tanks to Tools
Currently, Taylor is the company’s vice president and inventory manager, focused on purchasing, growth and pricing.
“My favorite part of my job now is the freedom to make decisions with little overhead. I have opportunities to succeed or fail and learn from both,” Taylor says. “I always love the opportunity to meet with our customers every day and help them accomplish their goals.”
Taylor has also taken advantage of his military experience in his role as an independent retailer.
In the military, Taylor led several small units and gained experience in small-unit leadership, which has translated to the store.
“From having subordinates and understanding your responsibilities as a leader to being able to relate to people and showing servant leadership, all of these soft skills I learned in the Army have been crucial in my role now,” Taylor says. “My leadership roles in the Army taught me how to navigate people.”
Other experience he gained in the military that has been helpful in retail is understanding operational and strategic goals and having a positive outlook.
“Even when bad things happen, I tell folks, ‘It could always be worse!’” Taylor says.
Along with Taylor, Cox Hardware & Lumber has employed other veterans over the years and utilized their unique skills.
Veterans are accustomed to engaging in hard work and sacrifice, following irregular schedules, tackling unexpected tasks that come up throughout a day, doing physical labor and working with their hands, all qualities that are highly sought after in retail, Taylor says.
“They are also able to think outside the box to accomplish the mission, and they make great team players,” he says.
In the end, veterans are looking for what most employees are—a fulfilling career with opportunities to advance and give back to the community.
“If I were to work for some large company, I would just be a guy in a suit who doesn’t see a lot of impact,” Taylor says. “I like to see the actual effects of my efforts. I really like to help people.”
A New Way to Serve
New NHPA Program Honors Military Veterans Who Have Served Our Country, Channel
While there is no way to repay the sacrifices made by veterans of the armed forces, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) recognizes that not only have these individuals made a lasting impact on their country, but they are also a prominent and positive influence within the home improvement industry.
To honor the ongoing impact military veterans make throughout the home improvement industry, NHPA is launching the Helmets to Home Improvement recognition program, with the National Hardware Show as the program’s official founding sponsor and venue partner. The program will officially kick off at the 2025 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas and culminate with an gala event to honor the industry’s military veterans in person at the 2026 National Hardware Show.
The idea for the program came from NHPA national sales manager Greg Cole, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, whose story is just one of many shared by veterans working in the home improvement industry.
“I believe it is time for veterans to be recognized for the contributions they are making in the home improvement industry and in our communities. Veterans fought for us and have played, and continue to play, a significant role in shaping our nation’s history and future,” Cole says. “We must never forget their sacrifice, dedication and commitment to our country. The Helmets to Home Improvement program will be one way we can honor those who served.”
Thank you to our program sponsors:
