STEVE Cook
Steve Cook
Career Highlights:
There are so many parts of my career that I have enjoyed, and also many that have been challenging. My most challenging and most rewarding moment was in the weeks following last year's Tropical Storm Irene. It was a time when government, community, business and citizens came together to tackle one of this state's largest challenges. My challenge was to bring visitors to Vermont during our most critical tourism season. Together we quickly created and executed a national and regional advertising campaign to ensure visitors that Vermont was open for business. We launched a call center for volunteers and donations to the disaster relief fund in a little over 8 hours. We worked 24 hours a day to ensure that Vermont was top of mind for consumers and never once did we tire. It was an amazing moment in time for me to be a part of.
Community Involvement:
I began coaching my son's T-ball team and have coached baseball in Montpelier ever since. It has been truly amazing to watch the growth and advancement of each of the players both in life and in the sport. I also spent a year on the Vermont Mountaineers Board of Directors.
Favorite part of job? My favorite part of representing the Vermont Tourism industry is working with Vermont's small businesses and learning about the uniqueness of their products and supporting their efforts for success. Vermont is filled with creative people and I have learned so much by listening to small business owners recipes for success. Someday I hope to own a small business and listening to the challenges that each Vermont business faces on a day to day basis has helped me in my quest.
Most inspiring mentor? Head of Johnson State Colleges hospitality and tourism department Todd Comen. I attended Johnson State College as a nontraditional student and professor Comen worked tirelessly to support me in a college environment.
Who is your living hero? Tina Fey. I love to laugh and she is a true original!
My living hero is fictional, however a current living hero. Mad Men's Don Draper is my living hero.
Favorite downtime activity? I have three children so much of my favorite Vermont downtime activities revolve around them. We truly enjoy the outdoors whether it is hiking, hunting or snowboarding.
Favorite Vermont Escape? I love the Mount Snow Valley, especially in winter.
Favorite social network? I am an instagram addict!
Favorite website? My most inspiring website today is Greenland Tourism's official site. It's a model for Destinations.http://www.greenland.com/en/
Vermont Business Person you would most want to network with? Jake Burton is a Vermont business person who I truly admire.
John Boutin, VBM Publisher, Steve Cook and Pat Moulton Powden, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Community Development< Last Next >