Nicole Cook: Leveraging Skills to Create a Lasting Impact
For Nicole Cook, program manager for Technical Services, true success looks like creating environments that not only meet client and occupant needs but also form a lasting impact on their lives.
“I love the idea that everyone lives in their own building system. This is something that touches everybody, and it has an incredible impact.”
Nicole began her career in engineering, with a focus on manufacturing-related sales. While she enjoyed the work, she was always drawn to architecture and sustainable building practices, including solar and other energy-focused solutions. More than four years ago, she joined McKinstry’s powerED team in Tampa. Today, as a program manager, she leads both the local Active Energy Management and powerED teams. These programs go beyond building operations, helping clients better understand their facilities while also empowering occupants to play a role in improving performance.
For Nicole, the mission behind this work closely aligns with what first attracted her to McKinstry.
“There was a real difference between the culture of McKinstry and where I was before,” Nicole said. “It made it worthwhile to me to pursue a change to do something that really aligned with my own values.”
Motivated by these values and interests, Nicole draws on her diverse background to bring an open, outcome-focused mindset to her work and clients. Whether exploring new ideas or refining existing approaches, every move Nicole and her team make is about solving clients’ problems while supporting facilities that serve people in meaningful ways.
When asked what accomplishments she’s most proud of during her time at McKinstry, Nicole points to work that delivers lasting impact.
“I’m really proud of a districtwide sustainability initiative we helped turn into a fully adopted program at 120 schools,” Nicole said. “It includes a badge program for students focused on reduce, reuse and recycle, and it’s always the best when we can get students involved in what we’re doing.”
With a strong team standing behind her, Nicole is proud of their ability to support external clients but also the trusted relationships they’ve formed with other McKinstry teams. Exemplifying McKinstry’s One Team approach, Nicole works to make her clients feel like collaborative team members through effective communication and strong student engagement. With this approach in mind, Nicole ensures not only successful projects for her clients but also actively engages students and staff, fostering pride and encouraging ongoing care for their schools and facilities.
