BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Industrial Archives & Library (IAL) announced today the election of two individuals to its Board of Trustees. Joining the Board are Peggy Peters Cook and Charles Cook, a husband and wife duo, whose combined experience and expertise with non-profit organizations, broadcasting, network television production, communications, education, and fundraising complement the Board’s broad business and industrial backgrounds.

“We are delighted to have Charles and Peggy Cook join the IAL Board,” said Ken Smith, Chairman of the IAL Board of Trustees. “The breadth and depth of their combined experiences adds a whole new dimension to IAL’s capabilities to meet its mission.”

“Peggy and Charlie are great team members, who understand and appreciate the importance of preserving America’s industrial heritage, and they are fully committed to lending their skills to helping their fellow Trustees and our staff in meeting IAL’s mission.”

Stephen G. Donches, President & CEO

Peggy Cook, born and reared in Bethlehem, Pa., comes to the IAL by way of a multi-faceted career of almost forty years as an entrepreneur with international and independent school marketing background, retail business development, non-profit management experience and proven leadership in fundraising for major educational institutions. After positions mentoring Georgetown University applicants and students from the Los Angeles area at independent schools, she joined the senior management team of Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2017. As Chief Advancement Officer, Peggy leads a team in all engagement, stewardship, and fundraising efforts. As the liaison to the Board of Trustees, Peggy serves on all Board committees.

Peggy married fellow Georgetown University alumnus, Charles. She also earned a master’s degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management and was honored by Moravian Academy, in Bethlehem, Pa., as its Distinguished Alumna for 2022.

Having enjoyed a full life in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles, she came back east to work in New York and live in Bethlehem. Peggy fulfilled her dream of returning to her hometown of Bethlehem, Pa. “Bethlehem’s historic charm, ideal location, and the wonderful people of the Lehigh Valley pulled me back,” she said. “I am honored and humbled with this opportunity to serve as a Trustee for the Industrial Archives & Library, whose mission is an admirable one in these changing times.”

Charles Cook, a Chicago native, is a media consultant to top Hollywood studios and networks including, Sony Pictures TV, NBCU, and BBC Worldwide Productions. He owns his own television production company, specializing in the creation of multi-media platform alternative programming. Charles is a former political reporter/news anchor, an Emmy nominated producer and award-winning broadcast journalist. He is the executive producer of various national TV shows, leading 150-plus staff members. He’s produced more than 5000 hours of internationally syndicated talk shows and more than 200 hours of reality TV programming, nationally and internationally. He is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America.

Mr. Cook is a founding member of the Chicago Children’s Charities. He served as a senior member of the Children’s Miracle Networks Entertainment Board of Trustees. He also served on the Asian-Pacific Health Care Center Board of Directors and as a vice-chair of Los Angeles’ Harvard-Westlake School’s Annual Giving Campaign, where with his wife, they helped raise record-breaking funds. Charles is also a member of the Georgetown Alumni Admissions Committee and the Northwestern University Alumni Admissions Committee.

Cook received his bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Georgetown University. He subsequently studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, and also earned a MSJ from the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism.

“I am thrilled to join the Board of such a dynamic and growing organization,” said Mr. Cook. “Essentially, I have spent my career as a storyteller,” he said. “Through its work, IAL is helping to assure that the important stories of how industry has shaped America are being preserved for the ages. That’s really exciting.”

Peggy and Charles Cook reside in Bethlehem, Pa., and have two sons; Gavin, a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at Princeton University; and Conor, Manager, Global Creative Operations at Condé Nast in New York City.

Steve Donches, President of IAL, expressed his gratitude to the Cooks while emphasizing the importance of volunteers in non-profit companies: “Peggy and Charlie are great team members, who understand and appreciate the importance of preserving America’s industrial heritage, and they are fully committed to lending their skills to helping their fellow Trustees and our staff in meeting IAL’s mission. We are fortunate to have them on board at this opportune time of IAL’s growth and public outreach.”