Why choose Cook and Company?

  • “When Kingsport decided to make a big deal about our 100th birthday, none of us knew how big it would become! Kingsport's Centennial project involved hundreds of our citizens, scores of volunteers and enthusiastic support from public and private sectors alike. Thousands of dollars were raised, hours and hours of volunteer time were spent, and the results were simply outstanding! Kingsport will remember our Centennial for many years. Our achievements would not have been nearly as robust if we hadn't had Dr. Cook as our coordinator. As a community volunteer for many years, these words come to mind as I reflect on Dr. Cook and her impact on our project: collaborative, creative, timely, organized, forward-thinking, adaptable and positive at all times. Dr. Cook is exactly the person you would want to orchestrate the delicate dance between diverse interests and personalities as you try to achieve a common goal. Dr. Cook is the best - she brings people together!”

    - Ken Maness
    Kingsport Centennial Commission
    Retired, President/CEO, Bloomington
    Broadcasting
    Tri Cities Airport Commission
    Board Member, Bank of Tennessee

  • “As Mayor of Kingsport I learned the city’s many successes over the years occurred because of the Kingsport Spirit- the coming together for a common cause and for the good of all. A great example of this was Kingsport’s Centennial Celebration in 2017.  The city’s 100 year birthday party was led by Dr. Cook, the city’s marketing director.  Thanks to Dr. Cook’s marketing and management skills including her vision, planning, communication, attention to detail, ability to bring the private and public sector’s together, and effective project management, the yearlong celebration was a resounding success for all residents of Kingsport and region to enjoy. Dr. Cook’s excellent leadership along with the contributions of many city partners, resulted in the Kingsport Spirit coming alive once again with a wonderful 100 year celebration!   Thanks Dr. Cook, job well done. We appreciate you! ”

    — Mayor John Clark
    2015-2019

  • “How often does one get to celebrate a centennial? For the City of Kingsport, that happened in 2017. And what a year of celebration it was for the citizens of Kingsport and our region. From a New Year’s Eve Street Party, Birthday Party at the Farmer’s Market, July 4th Celebration, Grand Opening of the new Centennial Park, Dedication of the “Spirit of Generosity” as part of Santa’s arrival on the Santa Train and a year-end Centennial Celebration… all were perfectly planned, communicated and enjoyed by all. These memories will last Kingsport and her citizens for another century, thanks to Dr. Cook. Her creativity, organization, enthusiasm, and teamwork were the “secret sauce” in helping make Kingsport’s Centennial Commission and Kingsport’s Centennial successful!”

    — Jim Harlan
    Kingsport Community Foundation
    AFG Chair of Excellence in Business
    and Technology, East Tennessee State
    University
    Board Vice-Chair, East Tennessee
    Foundation
    Retired, Vice President of Integrated
    Global Supply Chain, Eastman

  • “When Dr. Heather Cook came to our college campus, she brought energy, enthusiasm, and excitement for a better and brighter future! s She changed the atmosphere with her unique leadership and organizational skills that led to record-setting fundraising campaigns and successful public events. Further, Heather’s dynamic personality and her contagious smile made working with her an enjoyable and rewarding experience!”

    — Dr. Louise Dickson
    Professor, Humanities Northeast State
    Community College

  • "Dr. Cook is a big thinker with energy. Her enthusiasm and ability to relate to others allows her to bring people together, build consensus and affect meaningful change. If you need a boost or a complete restructuring, Dr. Cook can navigate difficult and complex situations and everyone comes out better for it."

    -Roger Mowen
    Senior VP, Eastman, Retired
    Vice Chair, Population Health and
    Community Impact Committee, Ballad
    Health

  • “As a graduate from Columbia University and Harvard, I appreciate and understand the value of knowing how to think through complex situations using effective communication to drive results. Dr. Cook is one of the best I know at getting initiatives off the ground and creating lasting improvement for organizations.”

    -Dr. Elizabeth Ross
    Harvard PhD, JD
    Northeast State Outstanding Alumna

  • “Dr. Cook is the master at facilitating large milestone celebrations. I’ve watched her as an employee, a community partner, and as a leader affect meaningful change by empowering others to tackle the hard stuff. I highly recommend Dr. Cook to facilitate your next milestone. But only hire her if you’re ready to do big things.”

    -Miles Burdine
    CEO, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
    Board of Directors, Blue Cross Blue
    Shield
    Member, Tennessee Board of Regents

  • "During the City of Kingsport’s Centennial in 2017 and the Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium’s 50th Anniversary, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Cook. Both were joyous occasions due to her tremendous ability to inspire, motivate, encourage, and equip the volunteers she recruited. She brings value to an organization through her ability to take a “big picture” look and assess needs. This enables her to facilitate complex issues and get amazing results! Her organizational skills are superb and along with her results orientation we were motivated to give our best! Terrific experience!"

    -Jeanette D. Blazier
    Former Mayor, City of Kingsport
    Chair, Bays Mountain Park and Recreation
    50th Anniversary

  • "Dr. Cook is an outstanding lady. I have known her in various capacities since she was selected in 2000 as one of four members of the inaugural class of Roan Scholars. The Roan Scholars Program is a highly selective leadership-based program at ETSU. The selection criteria for this program are character., leadership, intellectual curiosity, and physical vigor. The intent is to attract well-rounded individuals to ETSU who will make positive impacts after graduation in the communities where they live and work. Dr. Cook has done, and is doing this. After graduation, Dr. Cook served as the Executive Director of the Northeast State Community College Foundation. I was a Board Member there at the time and it was a delight to personally observe her accomplishments. Dr. Cook has continued to successfully progress in her career through various government and private sector positions. Furthermore, she has made significant contributions in volunteer organizations and general community service. Among Dr. Cook’s many recognitions, being inducted into the Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 group in 2013 is certainly a highlight. For an organization planning a milestone event, Dr. Cook has demonstrated that she can accurately assess the situation, develop a customized plan, and then coordinate successful implementation using appropriate personnel. Even with her exceptional skills and tangible accomplishments, however, I believe Dr. Cook’s intangible traits are her greatest strength. These traits include her character, integrity, passin, determination, compassion, etc. It is an honor and pleasure to give Dr. Cook my highest recommendation."

    -Louie H. Gump
    Impact Management Planning and
    Implementation, President