William “Jack” H. Cooke

William “Jack” H. Cooke is a true Lion at heart. He is not only an alum but also a distinguished A&M-Commerce professor. His career spans 40 years in both the private sector and academia, working in roles such as software engineer, project manager, program director, site executive, and professor. He credits much of his success and knowledge to all he learned in his time as a student at A&M-Commerce.

Education

Cooke received his bachelor’s degree in physics from East Carolina University in 1972. After several years in a professional career as a software engineer, he decided to return to school at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where the graduated with a Master’s of Science in Computer Science in 1981.

Private sector Career

Cooke has had a varied career spanning over four decades. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1972, he began his professional career as a software programmer supporting the U.S. Space Program at Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida. He came to Greenville, Texas, in 1975 to program software for E-Systems to work programs for the U.S. Air Force.

Cooke credits the technical knowledge he acquired at A&M Commerce for his success as an engineer and subsequent promotion to project manager in 1983. Throughout the 1980s, he managed several projects to install state-of-the-art communications and data processing systems on military aircraft. Among these accomplishments, he managed the development and installation of the mission communications system for Air Force One that was used by Presidents Bush and Clinton.

E-Systems selected Cooke as program director for Scientific and Technical Programs, leading advanced technology programs in data processing and distribution. In 1995, he was promoted to program vice-president to lead the Greenville facility's contracts with the U.S. Air Force. Ownership of the Greenville facility was assumed by L-3 Communications, Inc. in 2002, and Cooke was promoted to senior vice-president wherein he took charge of an expanded portfolio of domestic and international programs. In 2005, he was selected as site executive to oversee programs, operations and maintenance at the Greenville facility. He retired from L-3 Communications in 2009.

Academic career

After his retirement from L-3, Cooke joined the faculty of the College of Business at A&M-Commerce. He was a full-time faculty member for five years and an adjunct instructor for another five years, teaching graduate courses in management.

He continues to be a long-term member of the College of Business Executive Advisory Board, a featured speaker at graduation, and a participant in numerous university projects. In 2023, he received the title of Instructor Emeritus by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, bestowed to honor the service he provided to A&M-Commerce.