Getting to know: Ashley Bowen Cook

ASHLEY BOWEN COOK

Vice president and brand director, Greteman Group

Cook’s father knows her well. First, he predicted her college major: business communications.

“My dad always says I like to talk a lot,” Cook said. “He thought communications would be a good fit for me.”

Then he guided her career path, although she resisted at first.

“When I was in college, I wanted to do anything but work in aviation. My dad helped me get an internship at Bombardier, and I fell in love with the industry. I understood why he was so passionate about it and realized I never want to leave it.”

Cook, who specializes in serving aviation clients at Greteman Group, grew up in Augusta. Her parents are Paul Bowen, the noted aviation photographer, and Gail Bowen, who works in the modeling business.

A University of Kansas graduate, Cook worked at Bombardier and Flexjet before joining the Greteman Group nearly 15 years ago. Past and present clients there include Bombardier, Flexjet, Signature Flight Support, Executive AirShare and SmartSky Networks.

Cook was recently named to the executive committee of the Wichita Aero Club’s board of directors, the first woman in that role. She headed the club’s annual gala for nine years and has also worked on its golf tournament and other events. Founded in 1915 and relaunched in 2008, the club promotes networking within the aviation industry. It also awards two $2,000 scholarships each year to students planning to work in aviation.

Cook hopes joining the executive committee “shows other women in aviation that there are opportunities out there to kind of break the stereotype.”

Cook and her husband, Josh, who owns the Josh Cook Golf academy at Terradyne Country Club, have a son, Charlie, who’s nearly 3.

“We spend a lot of time there,” Cook said. “It’s an amazing playground for a 3-year-old.”

Joe Stumpe

This story was originally published February 8, 2018 at 11:04 AM with the headline "Getting to know: Ashley Bowen Cook."