Alum
gives back to help entrepreneurial peers through Kellogg program
Douglas M.
Cook '98, owner and president of Feldco, a Chicagoland company
specializing in window replacement, enthusiastically supports
entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School, most recently with a
financial gift from Feldco to the 2005 Kellogg Alumni Entrepreneur
Conference. Cook's ongoing involvement and subsequent gifts
to Kellogg have distinguished him as a dedicated alumnus just
a few years after his graduation from The Managers' Program.
In the
four years since Cook acquired Feldco, the company has grown
more than 300 percent with revenues in excess of $25 million,
making it the largest replacement window and siding company
in its area. In recognition for his entrepreneurial accomplishments,
Cook was the recipient of the 2004 Kellogg Alumni Rising Entrepreneur
Award given at the 2004 Kellogg Alumni Entrepreneur Conference.
After attending this inaugural conference, Cook "sensed that
the attendees had a thirst for more" - more speakers to energize,
more attendees to network with, more topics to address. "That
Feldco could help was an opportunity we jumped at," he said.
The 2005
Annual Alumni Entrepreneur Conference, "Building Wealth Through
Growth," was held May 19, with impressive results. "The attendance
and energy at this year's conference were phenomenal and laid
the foundation for an even better gathering in 2006," said
Cook.
In addition
to his conference efforts, Cook is an active board member
of the Larry and Carol Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial
Practice at Kellogg, sharing his practical insights with Kellogg
student entrepreneurs, some of whom he has also hosted for
an independent study course. Additionally, Feldco has hired
summer interns from Kellogg, and a 2005 graduate who will
work with Feldco full time.
"Kellogg
has many valuable resources for alumni, especially those who
understand where Kellogg is going and want to help it get
there," Cook said. "Making a financial gift was a no-brainer.
Not only did the Levy Institute deliver a great event, but
Kellogg confirmed how it gives me more benefits than I imagined.
My gift is a start in how I recognize that value."
Said Steven
Rogers, the Gordon and Llura Gund Family Professor of Entrepreneurship:
"Doug has been a guest speaker in my Entrepreneurial Finance
class. He embodies all the characteristics of an ideal Kellogg
alum: He is personally successful and always giving back to
his alma mater. He's a fantastic role model for our students
and alums."
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