Cook receives Indiana Governor’s Half Century Business Award

On Monday, March 27, Cook was honored by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis as a 2017 recipient of the Governor’s Half Century Business Award. This award is in recognition of the fact that for over 50 years, Cook has been working to make Indiana a better place – not just for our employees, but for everyone. Pete Yonkman, Steve Ferguson, Gretchen Gutman, and Dan Peterson were on hand to receive the award on behalf of Cook.

The Governor’s Half Century Business Award celebrates more than just a company’s longevity. While a company must have had its base in Indiana since it was founded and had continuous operations in the state for more than 50 years, this alone isn’t enough. An honoree must have also demonstrated a lasting commitment to serving the community. And since our founding in 1963, a key part of Cook’s business philosophy has been our dedication to giving back to the communities in which we’re established.

As Cook has grown over the years, so has our impact on the state of Indiana. Today, 15 Cook Group companies employ more than 7,000 Hoosiers (as Indiana residents are known) across the state. But our impact goes well beyond jobs. Our renovation of historic buildings has helped revitalize entire communities, and our partnerships with universities across the state are helping pave the way for the next generation of Indiana leaders and innovators. These are just some of the ways Cook has shown our ongoing commitment to being a vital part of Indiana’s past, present, and future.

While we’re proud to be recognized by Governor Holcomb for more than 50 years of contributions to the state, we’re even more excited about what we can help achieve in the next 50 years and beyond. More than just an honor, the Governor’s Half Century Business Award serves as a reminder of one of our guiding principles. Bill Cook once said, “If we are a communal society, we owe this to our community. I have an obligation and so do they. The community is what gave us the opportunity to achieve the things we’ve done. And so we owe it to them. It’s that simple.”

As you know, transformation continues to bring about many changes in our company, but it’s important to remember that our responsibility to care for the people and places where we live and work will never change. This award gives us the chance to reflect on that responsibility, and to thank all of our employees for their part in helping us earn this recognition. All of the positive contributions Cook has made – in Indiana and beyond – would be impossible without your hard work and dedication.