Lodwrick Cook

Lodwrick Monroe Cook III
Lodwrick Monroe Cook III
Born	17 June 1928 (age 98); Grand Cane, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	28 September 2020 (aged 92)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist
Years active	1956–2002
Known for	Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Richfield (ARCO)

Lodwrick Monroe Cook III (June 17, 1928 – September 28, 2020) was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, widely recognized for his tenure as chairman of Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) from 1986 until 1995.

Early life and education

Raised in Grand Cane, Louisiana, Cook obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Louisiana State University in 1950. Following his service as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army, he pursued further studies at LSU, earning a degree in petroleum engineering in 1955. Subsequently, he completed a Master of Business Administration at Southern Methodist University. In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, Cook was awarded honorary degrees by LSU, Pepperdine University, California Lutheran University, and St. Augustine's College. He resided in Sherman Oaks, California, was the father of five children, and became widowed in 2010.

Employment

Beginning his career at ARCO in 1956 as an engineer trainee, Cook progressed through various leadership positions encompassing labor relations, refining, marketing, and strategic planning. By 1970, he had been appointed vice president overseeing ARCO’s refining and marketing operations on the West Coast. Notably, he chaired the Owners’ Committee for the Trans Alaska Pipeline System—a consortium of eight companies—and devised a cost-saving response to a pump station fire that preserved hundreds of millions of dollars.

In January 1986, Cook assumed the roles of chairman and CEO of ARCO, succeeding Robert O. Anderson. He maintained these positions until his retirement in June 1995, after which he was named Chairman Emeritus.

Following his departure from ARCO, Cook joined Pacific Capital Group as Vice Chairman and Managing Director in 1997. The next year, he was appointed Co-Chairman of Global Crossing, a position he held until resigning amid the company's bankruptcy proceedings in 2002. Additionally, he served as chairman of Global Marine Systems beginning in 1999 and led Asia Global Crossing starting in 2000.

Cook’s board memberships extended to organizations such as Lockheed Corporation (until 1995), Castle & Cooke, the Kyle Foundation, and Litex, Inc. He also provided advisory services to Aurora Capital Partners.

Personal life

Cook played an active role on the board of directors for the LSU Alumni Association and contributed financially over many years. His personal donations and fundraising initiatives supported the creation of an 11,000-square-foot LSU alumni center featuring 128 rooms; this facility bears his name and was inaugurated by former president George H. W. Bush. Beyond LSU affiliations, Cook was part of Oxford University's chancellor's court of benefactors and held the title of Life Regent at Pepperdine University. He also participated on the advisory board for Emory University's Carter Center.

His trusteeship included the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, and he served as a director for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Due to his philanthropic backing of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, a rotunda located at its downtown site was dedicated as the Lodwrick Cook Rotunda.

External links

Hall of Distinction Class of 1985-1986