The Making of a Winner Interview: The Tale of Tom Cook, AVP, Administration & Office Services Manager, Lockton

Tom Cook’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Growing up with a mom who was a career secretary and a father who was a mechanic, Tom learned the value of hard work early on. Leaving home at 18, he started his career in office environments during the late 80s, navigating from typewriters to modern technology. His path to an Associate degree in Business Management was unconventional, stretching over nearly a decade of balancing full-time work and one class at a time, making him the first in his family to attend college.

Tom’s experience as an outsider, particularly as a gay man, fueled his drive to succeed and prove his worth. Enduring bullying throughout high school that even included an arson attack on his car, he developed a resolve to excel and never be seen as less. This tenacity propelled him from an administrative role to leadership at Lockton’s Midwest Series, where he naturally became a go-to person for guidance. During a company restructure, his established rapport, reputation for excellence and problem-solving skills earned him a leadership position, which later expanded to managing office services and an administrative team at Lockton.

Tom’s leadership philosophy centers on empathy and non-judgment. He fosters an environment where honesty and authenticity thrive, encouraging his team to own their mistakes and learn from them. His mantra, "We don’t have a kidney in a cooler," underscores his belief in keeping perspective and maintaining a supportive atmosphere. His advocacy for his team ensures they are treated with respect, mirroring his own journey of self-advocacy, which recently culminated in his promotion to Assistant Vice President.