The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) named John Cooke as the regional commissioner for the Public Buildings Service in the Great Lakes Region. Cooke was the former Cook County Asset Management Bureau chief.
Cooke has developed and managed complex commercial initiatives and strategic programs for private real estate firms and local government. Recently, John was responsible for directing the county’s real estate, facilities, capital projects, and asset management projects and programs in his Cook County role.
He planned and executed the county’s 10-year, $1.9 billion capital program, which included capital repairs and new construction of office, medical, correctional, and warehouse facilities. He also directed a 2013 Chicago Innovator Awards finalist team, which negotiated $60 million of guaranteed energy performance contracting for Cook County.
While in the private sector, Cooke simultaneously led nine project teams involved in new mixed-use developments with an aggregate budget of more than $350 million. He also provided asset management services for the daily operations of the Chicago Public School District.