June 14, 2011
Moore, Cook elected to key Foundation board posts
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Two successful executives in the southern Illinois region have been elected to key volunteer positions for the SIU Foundation Board of Directors.
Mary Kay Moore, former co-owner and CEO of the Center of Comprehensive Services, is the newly elected president of the SIU Foundation. Also, Greg Cook, president and co-founder of Cook Portable Warehouse, is president-elect of the organization.
Moore received a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology/audiology in 1978, and double master’s degrees in speech pathology/audiology and rehabilitation administration from Southern in 1980. Cook majored in business administration at Southern in 1977 and 1978. Both will begin serving in their roles July 1.
“Mary Kay and Greg are exemplary ambassadors for SIU Carbondale who have earned a great deal of respect both regionally, and nationally,” said Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation. “Both exhibit a great deal of passion for SIU Carbondale. The SIU Foundation looks forward to their efforts in moving this organization forward.”
The volunteer board governs the activities of the Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization that provides alumni and friends a means to invest in the future of the University. Established in 1942, the Foundation solicits and administers gifts from private sources in support of SIU Carbondale’s academic mission. Private funding is generated through annual giving, major giving, corporate and foundation relations and campaigns.
Moore has served on the Foundation board since 2003. She has also been active in the southern Illinois community as a symphony patron, a member of the SIUC art and design board, and chairs the Southern Illinois Research Park Board of Directors.
The SIU graduate and her husband, Tom Corpora, became partners in CCS with fellow SIU Carbondale graduate Kathleen Fralish in 1984. CCS, a rehabilitation center for individuals who acquire brain injuries, was purchased by Boston-based National Mentor, Inc., in 1998. Moore, who served as co-owner and CEO of CCS from 1980-1998, subsequently became vice president for brain injury services for Mentor. She has been active in the National and Illinois Brain Injury Association, serving on committees and the board of directors. Moore received the group’s James Brady award for outstanding service.
As a student, Moore was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha and the University Honors Program. She and her husband are life members of the SIU Alumni Association. Two of the couple’s children, Jillian, 23, and Nic, 21, attended college in Oregon, while Simone, 16, resides at home in Carbondale.
Cook has served on the SIU Foundation board since 2006. Born and raised in Carbondale, Cook is president and co-founder of Cook Portable Warehouse, also known as Cook Sales, Inc.
Cook Sales, Inc. manufactures and distributes Cook Portable Warehouses, which include storage barns, garages and cabins, and has dealers in 11 states. Cook previously owned and operated an excavating business before founding Cook Sales, Inc. with his father, the late John Cook, in 1984.
Cook and his father served on the Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment planning committee, which formulated a plan to make Southern a top research institution. He and his wife, Nancy, a 1980 elementary education graduate of SIU Carbondale, are avid Saluki fans, and, life members of the SIU Alumni Association.
The Cooks are longstanding supporters of Saluki athletics. They are season ticket holders for Saluki football, men’s and women’s basketball, and softball. The couple donated $1 million to Saluki Way in memory of Greg’s father, John Cook, in 2008. In addition, Greg also served on a six-member, volunteer steering committee to generate private support of Saluki Way, an $83-million project. Primary components of Saluki Way included building Saluki Stadium; renovation of the SIU Arena; and constructing Boydston Center, an athletics support facility housing locker rooms, meeting rooms and office space for Saluki men’s and women’s basketball, as well as football.