Peter Cooke

Peter Cooke, retired Major General of the US Army Reserves, joined Avalon Health Care’s Board of Directors in 2019. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, particularly regarding Veterans services to Avalon. He is the owner of PSC Enterprises which specializes in Public Private Partnerships that emphasize the Veteran community. 

Following a 39-year career in the Armed Services, Peter retired as the Commanding General of the 96th Regional Readiness Command where he prepared 10,000 soldiers and civilians for mobilization. The 96th included Colorado, Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, California and Utah, the largest geographical Command in the Army.

Reserves. General Cooke was awarded the United States Army Distinguished Service Medal in 2009. 

From 2001 to 2009, Peter served on the Armed Reserve Forces Policy Committee (ARFPC), holding the Chair position from 2007-2009. ARFPC reviews and comments on policy matters that directly affect the Reserve Component (RC) of the Army. Through his work with ARFPC, Peter developed close working relationships with the highest-ranking officials in the Pentagon, including the Secretary of the Army. 

Peter has been an advocate for veterans’ needs, founded Partnership with America and served as Director of the National Center for Veterans Studies. For the DOD he organized the Employer Partnership Initiative, which assists reservists and Veterans in securing jobs after mobilization to war. Presently, he chairs the Reserve Officer Association’s (ROA) Pershing Society and is also Chairman of the Board of The American College of National Security Leaders, a think-tank comprised of Generals, Admirals and Ambassadors. 

Peter directed the Utah State Economic Industrial Division under Governor Scott Matheson, and was largely responsible for the genesis of what is now the Sundance Film Festival. 

As an advocate for affordable housing, Peter has had a successful career supporting housing initiatives at military bases across the West. In 2011, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Utah Apartment Association in 2011. 

He has been active in politics, and ran for U.S. Congress in 1978. Most recently, Peter ran for Governor of Utah in 2012. 

Peter has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from USU. He also graduated from the Army War College. He and his wife were the Mission President of the Washington DC North Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.