Steven J Cook, Chairman and Trustee

Steve has a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in agricultural education with dual minors in economics and business administration. Upon graduating from college, Steve went into banking (both commercial and investment) instead of the field of education. Steve became a top producer in the investment firm he worked for and managed about $50 million at the peak of his career. His annual compensation, his best year, was approximately $350,000. However, Steve made some poor choices and was convicted of securities fraud which resulted in him going to prison.

While in prison, Steve found purpose and meaning to his incarceration, and life, by using his education degree to help inmates earn a GED. Teaching GED in a correctional institution gave Steve the opportunity to work with a wide variety of students including gang members, and students with anger issues, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. To help these students overcome their challenges in the classroom, Steve modified the GED curriculum making it easier for students with learning difficulties to understand. As a result, over 90% of his students passed the GED exams on the first attempt. Please refer to the letters of recommendation on this website.

Steve has a commitment to make a positive difference in his community. Consequently, he established “The Second Act Literacy Foundation Inc” to use his skill set to help students who have struggled academically earn a GED.