Founder of VM Software (later renamed Systems Center), a provider of software utilities for IBM's VM operating system, Cook built his first company into a firm listed on both the Nasdaq and the New York stock exchanges before it was sold in 1993. Cook has also acted as a seed investor, CEO advisor, and board member of several other software companies.
He served as a regular Army officer from 1964 until 1969 with service in Europe, Vietnam, and Washington, D.C. In addition to his bachelor's degree from IUP, he earned an MBA from George Washington University.
Cook endowed IUP's Robert E. Cook Honors College in 1993 and has remained actively involved with its nurturing from that time forward, with additional funding for specific projects and programs.
