Biography
Karin Cook joined the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (TJCA) Board of Directors in the summer of 2021. Karin and her husband, Clint, have been married for 22 years and reside on a farm in Casar with their two sons. Their boys have attended TJCA since enrolling as grammar-school students in 2015. She currently serves on the Curriculum Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and is Chair of the Public Relations/Community Outreach and Fundraising Committee.
Mrs. Cook holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a minor in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and gained extensive experience in advertising and public relations before opening a State Farm insurance agency in 2007.
Prior to opening her insurance agency, she worked for ten years in advertising and public relations. As Media Director of Broyhill Furniture International, her responsibilities included securing media contracts and product public relations. In that role, she was responsible for negotiating and spending a $15 million annual advertising budget in print media and network television, while representing Furniture Brands International as its lead advertising negotiator. In addition, she worked with Hearst, Conde Nast, and Meredith publishers to establish corporate pricing for Furniture Brands International. Other responsibilities included driving brand awareness by writing press releases, compiling media kits, and conducting product-introduction meetings with the editorial staff of shelter publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, Traditional Home, and House Beautiful.
As a small business owner, Mrs. Cook currently spends her workdays helping families plan for their financial future and assessing their insurance needs. Her State Farm agency offers business, home, auto, health and life insurance policies. As a State Farm agent she has qualified for the Crystal of Excellence and Legion of Honor designations, as well as the corporate Ambassador’s Club. Her daily duties include customizing insurance policies to meet individual needs, field underwriting and inspections, filing insurance claims, executing an annual marketing plan, and overseeing bookkeeping and payroll.
Before enrolling her children at Thomas Jefferson, Mrs. Cook served as PTO president at her eldest son’s elementary school and served on numerous boards with church and civic organizations.
She is passionate about all children having equal educational opportunities and appreciates that TJCA engages each of its students in a challenging curriculum from the start.