Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Interests
Quote
Timeline
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Matthew Cook

Matthew Cook

Chief Program Officer
Arlington,WA

Summary

Seasoned Program Officer adept at evaluating progress and implementing strategic improvements. Decisive and forward-thinking camp leader with a resourceful approach. Offering 20+ years of progressive experience.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work History

Chief Program Officer

Camp Korey
Florissant, WA
01.2021 - Current
  • Collaborate with finance department to budget and monitor program operations, ensuring sound fiscal and system management.
  • Collaborate with development team by playing an active role in presenting Camp Korey's mission and program to donors, partner organizations and various committees on the Board of Directors.
  • Collaborate with CEO to communicate and inform the Board of Directors about all program endeavors, and plans for increasing capacity and impact over time.
  • Assist Director of Development and Grants Manager in grant application process by sharing outcomes data, Theory of Change Model, and wordsmithing grants.
  • Determine staffing plans to achieve program goals and objectives and participated in hiring decisions for new program, medical, outreach, volunteer, and food service staff.
  • Develop feasible strategy for program growth meeting organizational vision and mission.
  • Foster team cohesiveness, positive workplace culture and support of staff.
  • Leading processes to set program goals, recommend timelines and organize resources needed to achieve organizational goals.
  • Collaborated across departments to build high-quality infrastructure to support programs.
  • Establish and maintain a program culture in-line with Camp Korey's rich history and the ethos/criteria of The SeriousFun Children's Network founded by Paul Newman.

Camp Director

Sanborn Western Camps
Florissant, CO
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Established operating budget for camp and controlled expenditures during the difficult first year of the COVID pandemic.
  • Developed and directed programs suitable for children between ages of 7y/o and 16 y/o.
  • Hired, supported and managed all residential camp staff members.
  • Promoted Sanborn Western Camps across the US through in-person recruiting tour, participation in professional organizations (American Camp Association), social media, and website content.
  • Helped the Board of Directors, Executive Director and senior leadership team navigate the first devastating year of the COVID pandemic.
  • Created new sources of revenue by prototyping new partnerships and programs that allowed Sanborn operate during a time when 90% of camps across the US were closed.
  • Collaborated with Director of Development in donor stewardship efforts through phone calls and on-line visits.

Executive Director

Teton Valley Ranch Camp Education Foundation
Jackson Hole, WY
03.2015 - 10.2019
  • Supported and help manage all functions of the Board of Directors from meetings to membership and organized 4 meetings per year (2 virtual, 1 at the Ranch in WY, 1 in hosted location nationwide).
  • Created annual budget and supported financial controller through 4 annual audits.
  • Spearheaded successful development initiatives aligned with TVRC's strategy and core competencies.
  • Led all aspects of fundraising, marketing, and finance.
  • Restarted a stalled endowment campaign from 2014 and led the design and roll-out the Lava Mountain Fire Fund, the Posse 20/20 campaign, and a capital campaign to improve Ranch facilities.
  • Led the organization out of debt in first 24 months.
  • Led the migration of our CRM from Blackbaud (Raiser's Edge) to Bloomerang to create greater donor stewardship and effective record management.
  • Worked aggressively in 2015 to address risk management, staffing, and facility deficits.
  • Drove strategic improvements that enhanced operational safety and risk management practices both at camp and in the backcountry
  • Implemented strong hiring and training processes to promote team cohesiveness and a culture of accountability and inquiry.
  • Supervised, supported and managed all full-time and seasonal staff, designed and implement all staff training and professional development
  • Designed “Theory of Change Model” for TVRC program defining all inputs and expected outcomes (Inspiration, Mastery, Tenacity, Compassion, and Gratitude)
  • Directed and Managed all aspects of Risk Management from completing the overall Risk Management Plan to the creation of an original Emergency Operating Plan for TVRC’s on-camp and backcountry operations.
  • Directed and managed all aspects of camper recruitment and admissions of campers and families
  • Developed and managed all vendor contracts and relationships from backcountry guides to 65 leased horses.
  • Directed and managed all aspects of the food service program from staffing, to menu creation, and all food vendor contracts.

Director, Hero's Journey Program

The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp
Ashford, CT
01.2014 - 03.2015
  • Designed, implemented, and facilitated the Hero's Journey Program (seven-day wilderness therapy program) from 2006-2015
  • Designed Theory of Change model for Hero’s Journey program defining all therapeutic inputs and expected outcomes and collaborated with the Director of Research and Evaluation to establish programmatic effectiveness.
  • Researched and designed the Hero’s Journey program Participant and Parent Manual.
  • Hired, trained and supervised full-time Program Coordinator and eight seasonal staff in the delivery of the Hero’s Journey program.
  • Created five-year strategic plan for the further development of the Hero’s Journey program.
  • Led the admissions process, conduct all parent and participant interviews leading into creating specific therapeutic plans and manage all details of transportation for participants from more than thirteen states.
  • Designed and facilitated “Project Bliss” session in order to serve up to ten participants whose illness precludes their involvement in the regular Hero’s Journey program.
  • Managed all aspects of the HJ budget and all connected relationships with CT State Police, Ashford Vol. FD, and Lifestar Air Ambulance Service

Camp Director

The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp
Ashford, CT
07.2001 - 01.2014
  • Held primary responsibility for all aspects of leadership, management, and program development for all program offerings of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (on-site and off-site) for 13 years.
  • Hired, trained, supported, and supervised, all full-time and seasonal staff.
  • Spearheaded creation of budgets directly with CFO, resulting in simultaneous growth and balanced budgets.
  • Oversaw all aspects of risk management. Worked with Russell Philips and Associates to create a comprehensive Emergency Operations Manual for our entire onsite program.
  • Led the annual recruitment, interview and hiring process for 85-95 seasonal staff positions, and supervised the recruitment of over 400-450 seasonal cabin volunteers.
  • Structured first annual employee evaluation process and oversaw the process for 12 years with direct reports that grew from 21 to 39 over my tenure.
  • Provided primary supervision, leadership and support to Medical Director, Assistant Camp Directors, Facility Manager, Food Service Manager, Director of Family Programs, Director of Camper Admissions, Director of Hospital Outreach, Camp Psychologist, Director of Volunteers, and Music Director.
  • Created and continually improved upon a unique approach to camper behavior management that has been highly successful in safely managing challenging behavior, but more importantly, in offering our campers the opportunity to build positive self-image and transferable coping skills. (The Behavior Development Model)
  • Managed medium and large (traditional and design-build) constructions projects from building design and placement to choosing finishes and furnishings. To include: large staff housing buildings, the pool and bathhouse, and the largest wheelchair accessible tree house in the world!
  • Designed and implemented and managed for 10 years, the first hospital outreach program in the SFCN. Designed and implemented the Maritime Challenge Program and Hero's Journey Program for 16-17 y/o former Campers.
  • Managed and helped facilitate the C.O.P.E. Program (an off-site retreat weekend for Camper Parents) from 2006-20014.
  • Provided consistent support to all fundraising efforts, as requested (public speaking, logistical support, donor tours, etc.) speaking to individuals, small groups and large groups at fund raising events.
  • Lead the organization through 4 successful ACA Accreditation visits and helped write the first draft of the SFCN Criteria process.

Child and Family Therapist

The Family Counseling Center
Phoenix, AZ
05.2000 - 06.2001
  • Prepared professional and accurate case documentation.
  • Offered innovative therapeutic techniques and non-traditional interventions focused on supporting youth and families in crisis.
  • Assessed fit for services through initial screenings with youth and guardians.
  • Counseled individuals, married couples, families and children facing a broad spectrum of life stressors and challenges to include: bereavement, serious illness, adoption, divorce, physical/sexual abuse, abandonment, and a full spectrum of Axis I and II diagnosis.
  • Utilized primarily Attachment Therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy to assist clients in finding emotional stability and making adaptive decisions in their lives.

Social Worker

Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
09.1999 - 06.2001
  • Provided crisis intervention services for homeless, mentally ill, and substance addicted Veterans.
  • Assisted in the facilitation of treatment groups for substance abuse services and for Combat Veterans / PTSD.
  • Managed the VA’s contract with an independent provider for a 90-day treatment program, as well as maintaining treatments notes and case management for all twenty Veterans in the house.
  • Managed all aspects of a “three-quarter” house for the Disabled American Veterans Inc. in Phoenix with five residents.
  • Provided counseling and therapeutic services to veterans in both ongoing treatment and on walk-in basis.
  • Partnered with local agencies to create housing and work opportunities for homeless Veterans.
  • Managed all administrative aspects of our program with and for the director of the HCHV program.

Education

Masters of Social Work - Direct Practice, Clinical Social Work

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
08.1998 - 05.2000

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
05.1996 - 05.1998

No Degree - Humanistic Psychology, Outdoor And Elementary Ed.

Presscott College
Prescott, AZ
05.2001 -

Masters Certificate in Authentic Leadership - Leadership

Naropa University
Boulder, CO
01.2010 - 07.2010

Skills

Strategic planning

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Accomplishments

  • Received the "Golden Quill Award" from ACA for 2020 published article.

Certification

Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Behavioral Health USA - exp. 11/2023

Interests

Backpacking

Paddling, Whitewater & Ocean Sports

Wilderness Emergency Medicine

Quote

"The Life of the individual has meaning only insofar as it aids in making the Life of every living thing noble and more beautiful."
-Albert Einstein

Timeline

Chief Program Officer

Camp Korey
01.2021 - Current

Camp Director

Sanborn Western Camps
01.2020 - 01.2021

Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Behavioral Health USA - exp. 11/2023

11-2019

Executive Director

Teton Valley Ranch Camp Education Foundation
03.2015 - 10.2019

Director, Hero's Journey Program

The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp
01.2014 - 03.2015

Masters Certificate in Authentic Leadership - Leadership

Naropa University
01.2010 - 07.2010

Camp Director

The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp
07.2001 - 01.2014

No Degree - Humanistic Psychology, Outdoor And Elementary Ed.

Presscott College
05.2001 -

Child and Family Therapist

The Family Counseling Center
05.2000 - 06.2001

Social Worker

Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center
09.1999 - 06.2001

Masters of Social Work - Direct Practice, Clinical Social Work

Arizona State University
08.1998 - 05.2000

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

Northern Arizona University
05.1996 - 05.1998

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Matthew CookChief Program Officer