Robert Cooke

Robert Cooke was born in South Carolina, grew up in South Georgia, and attended college in Alabama. He has undergraduate majors in Religion/Philosophy and Accounting and a cum laude MBA degree. He completed the Community and Rural Development Institute USDA Training at Cornell University. He has successfully completed the Certified Public Accountant examination and has several professional certifications including Economic Development Finance Professional.He returned to South Georgia in 2000 to serve as the Executive Director of Southwest Georgia United, an Empowerment Zone and community development corporation. He administered more than $40 million in program funding and has written successful applications for more than $11 million. He oversaw construction and operation of a 55,000 square foot business incubator, managed more than $13 million annually in community assets, and acquired and managed more than 100 affordable rental homes, He developed, implemented, and supported housing counseling, workforce development, after school care, child care, and a variety of other community programs. He wrote Southwest Georgia United’s successful application for certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Southwest Georgia United’s current portfolio includes both business and housing loans. Assets have grown from less than $250,000 in 1999 to more than $8.3 million as of 2014.Mr. Cooke has served as a board member or officer of a Development Authority, Chambers of Commerce, human service agencies, trade associations, and a Workforce investment Board. He was the 2013 Chairperson of the Affordable Housing Advisory Council of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. He has provided consulting and technical assistance for several federal agencies. He has reviewed federal grant proposals for the CDFI Fund, and has been a presenter, speaker, or facilitator at a variety of conferences and events.