Our Story
Over the Years
For over 75 years, commercial and industrial customers have chosen Cox-Powell for our professional HVAC service.
1930
Mr. Cox Attends Virginia Tech
- Mr. Cox traveled from southeastern Virginia by steam locomotive to Virginia Tech University. After a grueling 4-year effort, Mr. Cox (A proud Hokie) graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Mechanical Engineering
1934
Work With R.F. Trant
- Seeking growth, Mr. Cox embarked on a venture with R.F. Trant Inc., a locally owned Norfolk HVAC company. Near the beginning of the 1940s, World War II broke out, and William answered the call of duty and served his country
1946
Birth of a Company
- Colonel Cox took advantage of the wartime growth and made his entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Cox-Powell became a successful business in Hampton Roads with the business direction of William Cox and J.V. Powell Jr.
1984
Changing of Hands
- After nearly four decades of successful business operations, Mr. Cox was looking to retire. John Kerner approached Mr. Cox about possibly acquiring Cox-Powell Corporation, and Mr. Cox obliged
2005
Expansion
- HVAC installations and retrofits in commercial and industrial settings always have a large electrical load. As such, Olde Towne Electric was aquired.
- Vassars Inc. and Controlled Environments allowed Cox-Powell Corporation to expand to the Hampton Roads region offering full-service HVAC and Mechanical Contracting
Present
Looking Forward
- Cox-Powell Corporation comprises nearly 100 employees. Service technicians, project installers, electrical technicians, control technicians, accountants, dispatchers, and the I.T. department help Cox-Powell run smoothly

1930
Mr. Cox Attends Virginia Tech
- Mr. Cox traveled from southeastern Virginia by steam locomotive to Virginia Tech University. After a grueling 4-year effort, Mr. Cox (A proud Hokie) graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Mechanical Engineering
1934
Work With R.F. Trant
- Seeking growth, Mr. Cox embarked on a venture with R.F. Trant Inc., a locally owned Norfolk HVAC company. Near the beginning of the 1940s, World War II broke out, and William answered the call of duty and served his country
1946
Birth Of A Company
- Colonel Cox took advantage of the wartime growth and made his entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Cox-Powell became a successful business in Hampton Roads with the business direction of William Cox and J.V. Powell Jr.
1984
Changing of Hands
- After nearly four decades of successful business operations, Mr. Cox was looking to retire. John Kerner approached Mr. Cox about possibly acquiring Cox-Powell Corporation, and Mr. Cox obliged
2005
Expansion
- HVAC installations and retrofits in commercial and industrial settings always have a large electrical load. As such, Olde Towne Electric was aquired.
- Vassars Inc. and Controlled Environments allowed Cox-Powell Corporation to expand to the Hampton Roads region offering full-service HVAC and Mechanical Contracting
Present
Looking Forward
- Cox-Powell Corporation comprises nearly 100 employees. Service technicians, project installers, electrical technicians, control technicians, accountants, dispatchers, and the I.T. department help Cox-Powell run smoothly
