BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood Town Council has named Brian Cook, the Zoning Administrator for the City of Columbia, as the Town’s new Administrator. Cook replaces Gary Parker who announced in November that he plans to retire sometime in March.
Cook
Cook grew up in Charleston and graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He has worked for the City of Columbia since 2012. Prior to that, he spent seven years with Richland County in Planning and Development.
Cook also spent six years as a police officer with the City of Charleston and at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Council voted unanimously on Jan. 10, to extend to Cook a two-year, $75,000-a-year contract.
“We’re excited for you to be here,” Mayor J. Michael Ross told Cook. “I know you’re going to hit the ground running.”
While Cook lives in Cayce, he said he spent the weekend driving around Blythewood looking at homes and properties.
“I’m not married, but I have two awesome daughters, Kate, who is in high school, and Sara, a middle schooler,” Cook told The Voice on Tuesday. “I spent some time working on projects in Blythewood when I was with the County, and I’ve always liked it out here,” he said.
Cook reports to work Feb. 10.