Dennis Cook
President
Dennis Cook is a nationally-respected and highly sought-after political campaign strategist. For over 20 years, Mr. Cook has worked with political candidates, grassroots organizations and elected officials from all over the United States.
In 2007, Mr. Cook founded Strive Strategies. And since its establishment, Strive Strategies has continued to deliver accurate results, driving the firm to be an acknowledged frontrunner in the communications industry. Cook, along with the Strive team, work passionately to ensure accuracy and efficiency in executing public relations and public affairs campaigns while assisting in creative development, production services, and media placement for clientele.
In 2017, Mr. Cook managed alderman-at-large Richard Irvin’s campaign for Mayor of Aurora, Illinois – the state’s second largest city. Upon his historic election, Mayor-elect Irvin appointed Mr. Cook as co-chairman of his transition team. And on May 9, 2017, Mr. Irvin was sworn in as the 57th Mayor of Aurora – becoming the city’s first black mayor since its incorporation in 1834.
In 2015, Mr. Cook was elected by his peers as Chairman of the Young Republican National Federation (YRNF), the oldest and largest political youth organization in the U.S. Under Mr. Cook’s leadership as Chairman (2015-2017), the organization operated with a budget that was cash-flow positive, and thousands of volunteers were deployed across the country to assist political campaigns and candidates at every level. And during the 2016 Presidential campaign, Mr. Cook delivered a nationally-televised speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
Mr. Cook’s strategic expertise developed from his vast experience working in state politics in Illinois. Driven from a young age, he worked on behalf of several state legislative candidates in southwest suburban Chicago. As his passion for political activism grew, he moved forward to involvement in larger races, including the 2002 Illinois Attorney General Campaign which was one of the closest statewide elections in recent Illinois history. Soon after, he coordinated the former Kane County Board Chairman’s campaign in 2004 and managed the Aurora City Councilman’s Mayoral efforts the following year. In the 2006 cycle, he focused on the statewide primary campaigns for Lt. Governor and Treasurer, serving in senior staff roles in both efforts.
Mr. Cook executed his skills in strategic planning after he waged a successful campaign for his high school’s school board in 2003. He served as its chairman for nearly six of his eight years on the board. As President of Consolidated District 230 Board of Education, Mr. Cook oversaw the seventh largest high school district in the State of Illinois, presiding over a budget of over $140 million and more than 1,000 employees. During his time in office, he was instrumental in leading the Board from a $3 million deficit to a $4 million surplus in less than 3 years, while improving the quality of education. Additionally, Mr. Cook earned more than 55,000 votes in the 6-way primary as a candidate nominated for Lt. Governor in 2010.
Before starting Strive Strategies, Mr. Cook served as the manager of government and regulatory affairs for Illinois American Water, the Illinois subsidiary of the largest private water company provider in the country.
Mr. Cook is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in political science.
