Cox Communications yesterday announced a sweeping changing of its executive guard, triggered by the retirement of long-time CEO James Robbins.

Robbins will be replaced by Patrick Esser, another veteran of the Cox cable operation, having working in both programming and sales since 1979. He has been Cox Communications’ executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Robbins was known throughout the cable industry as an advocate of better customer service. Last year, he led the push to reduce the rates cable companies paid for sports channels, challenging ESPN in the process.

Robbins will remain a member of the Cox Communications board of directors and will join the board of directors of Cox Enterprises, the parent company which took Cox Communications private a year ago.

Cox Enterprises separately announced that Dennis Berry will retire as its president and COO, and become vice chairman of Cox Enterprises. He will be succeeded by Jimmy Hayes. Cox Enterprises is parent company to Cox Communications, Cox Newspapers, Cox Television, Cox Radio and auto trading subsidiaries including a stake in Autotrader.com and ownership of Manheim Auctions.