Gayle Cook


Gayle Cook is an American business executive. She was the co-founder of the medical equipment manufacturer Cook Group in 1963.

Early life

Gayle Karch Cook graduated from Indiana University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Career

In 1963, she co-founded the Cook Group, a medical equipment manufacturer, with her husband., she still served on the company's Board of Directors.
According to Forbes, she had a net worth of in 2014, an increase relative to in 2013 which placed her at #85 on the Forbes 400 for the year.

Historical preservation

She has restored many historic buildings. For example, she has restored the Colonel William Jones House in Gentryville, the French Lick Resort in French Lick Springs, and the West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden Springs.
She has co-written two books about historical preservation. She is also a member of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and a Landmark member of The Nature Conservancy. Furthermore, she co-founded the Monroe County Historical Society Museum.

Philanthropy

She has made charitable contributions to her alma mater, Indiana University, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Indiana University Foundation. She received the Gertrude Rich Award in 1983 an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1993, both from Indiana University.

Personal life

She was married to William Cook, who died in 2011. They had a son, Carl Cook.