MT. GAY — William H. "Bill" Cook has been named as the new Director of Campus Operations for the Boone/Lincoln Campus of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. He will also be overseeing the college's Lincoln Site which is located at the Lincoln County High School in Hamlin.

Cook joins Southern after holding a position for 10 years as the Town Manager and Community Center Director for the Town of Danville. He is a lifetime resident of Madison and is actively involved in community, church and civic activities.

President Joanne Jaeger Tomblin stated, "Bill Cook is a perfect fit for the Boone/Lincoln Campus. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as a commitment to education and serving the students in the region. We are all looking forward to working with him, as he brings new visibility and vision to Southern."

Cook was Scott High School’s Most Valuable Baseball Player in 1972 and Captain under Coach Robert P. School. After graduation he attended West Virginia State College until he chose a coal-mining career. Bill worked in mining for 25 years. During that time he served as United Mine Workers local Representative, Safety Committeeman and Vice President of Local 1889 for over 15 years.

After deciding to leave the mining industry, he enrolled in college and studied business and communication at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. He also worked as a recruiter to encourage laid off coal miners to train for new careers.

“I am so pleased to be part of Southern's vision for higher education and community involvement. We will continue to shine the light for our community and seek avenues to shine even brighter," Cook said.

He has served for two years on the Boone County HSTA Board of Directors. He was the Job Training and Partnership Act (JTPA) field representative and the liaison for over 125 unemployed coal miners. He was a motivational spokesperson for the program and has made presentations at over 100 civic clubs, churches and public forums.

In addition to serving as the Town Manager and Community Center Director for the Town of Danville, Cook was the FEMA Flood Coordinator for Danville and managed all aspects of the town. In 2003 he was appointed by the Mayor of Danville to serve as the municipal court judge, which he did for three years. Cook created and coordinated the Danville Summer Celebration and the Danville Senior Citizens Day.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Boone County Community and Economic Development Corporation. He also serves on the Advisory Board for Boone Memorial Hospital’s Home Health Care (LHC). He is a recipient of the Earl Ray Tomblin Citizen of the Year Award that is granted to outstanding citizens for community involvement.

In 2006, Attorney General Darrell McGraw appointed Cook to the West Virginia Attorney General’s Citizens Advisory Committee; a position he has held for the last three years.

Cook has been actively involved in church activities for 32 years. He has served as a deacon, lay preacher, Sunday School teacher and held many church offices. He is a member of the Madison Baptist Church. He formed a gospel group “Living Water” and traveled extensively in the area for over 15 years.

He enjoys fishing, tennis, reading, singing, song writing and has a passion for the history of Hank Williams. Bill is a dedicated family man and has been married to Sheliah for 34 years. His wife is the Human Resources Director and Administrative Assistant for Boone Memorial Hospital. They have one daughter, Crystal Rogers.

Cook can be reached at the Boone/Lincoln Campus by calling (304) 307-0716 or email at billc@southern.wvnet.edu.

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College offers many degree and certificate programs in its Career and Technical Division, including Allied Health, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Mine Management, and Survey Technology. The University Transfer Division offers degrees that prepare students to transfer into upper division programs at four year colleges and universities. Southern operates four campuses and two sites located in Boone, Logan, Lincoln, Mingo, Raleigh and Wyoming counties. Kentucky students residing in Pike, Martin, Boyd and Lawrence counties are eligible for in-state tuition rates.

The college's web site is www.southernwv.edu and the toll free number is 1-866-798-2821