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Hancock, Michigan—After nine years of dedicated service, Les Cook is leaving the Keweenaw Community Foundation’s (KCF) Board of Trustees due to term limitations. The current Vice President for Student Affairs and Advancement at Michigan Tech, Les joined the KCF board in October, 2006. Since then, Les helped direct over 1.6 million dollars in grantable funds at KCF.
“I chose to be involved with KCF,” Les said, “because of our broad reach and the lasting impact on our community. The tentacles of the KCF extend to almost every area of our community and many of the great events and initiatives that enrich our community would never have happened without the Foundation championing them forward and garnering critically important support.”
Les has seen a lot of changes over the past nine years. He noted the current board he is departing is composed of very dynamic and strategic individuals. Because of this, he views the Foundation as being more involved in the community and connected in the Keweenaw than ever before. Likewise, he feels the community is more aware of the broad range and impact of KCF.
“My favorite thing over the years working at KCF has been seeing an idea be born, watching it evolve, and then helping it come to fruition. The KCF’s Youth Advisory Council and their increased community impact is one of the most powerful examples of this evolution.”
During his time on the Board, Les has played an instrumental role in the Foundation’s growth. Jonathan Julien, Chairman of the KCF Board, said, “I would like to personally thank Les Cook for his years of insightful, forthright knowledge that he so graciously brought to the KCF board. His commitment to KCF among all his other leadership roles at Michigan Tech is a testament towards his passion for this community. This continuing commitment is also evident in his successor-ship planning with bringing on a noteworthy replacement to the KCF board, John Lehman. On behalf of the KCF Board of Trustees and staff, I would like to sincerely thank Les for all of his hard work and service.”
Still incredibly devoted to the community, Les said his greatest passion is, “Being involved in generating resources and ideas that make the community a better place for everyone and help us to attract others that are also committed to making a difference by being engaged and involved.” In that spirit, it is clear that Les’s involvement is only changing, not ending, for the end of a chapter is only the beginning of something new.
