J.T. Wilcox grew up on his family farm in rural Pierce County, where he still lives today. He is a graduate of Washington State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history.
For 23 years, J.T. was employed at his fifth-generation family business, Wilcox Farms. He managed diverse operations, including multiple food processing plants, feed mills, an 800-cow dairy herd, and greenfield manufacturing development. In the 2000s, J.T. served as Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Financial Officer of WilcoxFarms.
He served as chairman of Milk-Pep, the national “Got Milk” program, with a $100 million annual budget. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Washington Holstein Association, the Washington Poultry Industry Association, and also sat on the boards of the Washington Egg Commission and the International Dairy Foods Association.
In 2011, he was sworn in as state representative for the 2nd Legislative District, which includes several small towns in Pierce and Thurston counties. He served nearly his entire Legislative career as a senior Member of House Minority Leadership. He stepped down as Leader at the end of the 2023 Legislative Session.
J.T. also operates Wilcox Strategies, a consulting firm that advises private sector companies and organizations on external relations, generational succession, press relations, governance and business management.