Our People

Patrick Cox

Patrick Cox

Historian and Author, former reform Board Chair of Pedernales Electric Co-op, and We Own It Trustee

Patrick Cox profile photoDr. Patrick Cox of Wimberley, Texas (patrick@weown.it) Dr. Patrick Cox of Wimberley, Texas is an award-winning and nationally recognized historian, author and conservationist with a background of service, administration, policy development and implementation. A sixth generation Texan who resides with his wife Brenda in Wimberley, Texas, he is President of Patrick Cox Consultants, LLC. His firm specializes in historical and environmental projects for
individuals, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Cox received his Ph.D. in history and his B.A. in history from the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his M.A. in History with Honors from Texas State University, formerly Southwest Texas State University. He is the author of nine books and published hundreds of articles on U.S. and Southwestern history, natural resources and conservation. 

Active in community service, Dr. Cox recently served as President of the Board of Directors of the Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), the nation’s largest electric cooperative with assets over $1 billion. He led the reform movement at PEC to restore its financial integrity, transparency and ethical governance while launching innovative renewable and efficiency programs that made PEC one of the most respected systems in the nation.

He is Past President of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD). He worked to form the conservation district with local governments, public citizens and the state legislature. During his terms as  President, the BSEACD passed essential policies for groundwater conservation, drought management, and earned the Sole Source Aquifer from the EPA for the Barton Springs/Onion Creek area of the Edwards Aquifer. 

Service and Achievement awards include: 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award-Texas State University; 2010 Distinguished Alumni - Texas State University College of Liberal Arts; the American Journalism Historians Association – 2014 President’s Award; Fellow of the Texas State Historical Association; recipient of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development – Merit Award. 

Dr. Cox also currently serves as a board director for: Texas State University Alumni Association, Chair of the Texas State University Liberal Arts Council, and Vice President of the Texas State Historical Association. He is the immediate past Senior Warden of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wimberley and a Past President of the Wimberley Lions Club.