Rich Cooke

A native Tarheel, Realtor Rich Cooke grew up in Smithfield, NC, the home of Ava Gardner.  Rich was active in his community and school as an Eagle Scout, Senior Class President, member of the high school band and chorus, a community theater actor and a Boys State Representative.

In 1981, Rich graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with BA degrees in Political Science and Speech Communications.  He was elected to the student government council while attending UNC, as well. 

After graduating, Rich spent 26 years in sales, sales management, marketing and account management positions in the pulp and paper industry with both national and international companies, including Westvaco and International Paper Company (US), Stora Papyrus (Sweden), Eka Nobel (Germany), RoboTest/Valmet Automation (Finland) and Irving Forest Products and Domtar (Canada).  In 2007, Rich became a REALTOR.

Rich has lived in New York (Manhattan and Queens), New Jersey (Montclair), Georgia (Atlanta) and Florida (Tampa and Hollywood Beach).  Rich has happily been living in Laurel Park, NC since 2002.  He has one son and two highly intelligent grandchildren.