George Cook, CIMA
Institutional Consulting Director, Graystone Consulting, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
George Cook is an Institutional Consulting Director for Graystone Consulting, a division of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. George is responsible for strategic policy, portfolio optimization and investment manager selection for the clients that he serves. He has over 31 years of investment experience.
A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Mr. Cook began investment consulting with Blunt Ellis and Loewi of Chicago in 1981. He joined the Consulting Division of EF Hutton in 1984. In 1990 he became a Consulting Group Director, focusing on key institutional relationships, including hospitals, university, insurance, foundation, endowment and public companies.
George attended the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in 1997, earning the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation. He is a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association. In addition, he serves on the board and the Best Practices Committee of the Association of Investment Consultants.
Mr. Cook received the prestigious H. John Ellis Award from Citigroup’s Consulting Group, recognizing his achievements in delivering investment advice to the institutional investor that is independent, objective and in the client’s best interest. In 2009, George earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Designation, recognizing his successful completion of a specialized program on investment fiduciary standards of care and his adherence to Global Standards of Excellence in his fiduciary investment practices. Registered Rep recently awarded George the “Altruism Award: Advisors with Heart,” honoring advisors who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and are active in charitable giving and mentoring.
Mr. Cook is a frequent conference speaker for a variety of associations, including: Healthcare Financial Management Association, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, Association of Professional Investment Consultants, Investment Management Consultant Association, Insurance Accounting and Systems Association, and The Center on Philanthropy, to name a few.
Mr. Cook serves as volunteer for a number of not-for-profit agencies, including Bright Hope International, Executive Ministries, Josh McDowell Ministries, and Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois.
