Mar 14, 2025

Kelly Cook Was the Guest Speaker At The Optimist Club Meeting

Posted Mar 14, 2025 1:54 AM
Pictured left to right are Kelly Cook, Director of Member Relations for the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and Nita Miller, President of the JC Breakfast Optimist Club 
Pictured left to right are Kelly Cook, Director of Member Relations for the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and Nita Miller, President of the JC Breakfast Optimist Club 

Kelly Cook, Director of Member Relations at the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce, was the guest speaker at the JC Breakfast Optimist Club Meeting in the Hampton Inn Meeting Room on March 14.

Kelly has had a variety of work experiences before coming to Junction City in his new role. He has been an instructor at a community college, coached students in cross country, track and tennis, and has worked with the City of Manhattan and at Kansas State University.

His first large event as the Director of Member Relations for the Chamber in Junction City was the Annual Dinner recently held at the Convention Center in Junction City. Kelly explained that there are three entities that work together to strengthen businesses in our area and relations with Fort Riley. Those include the Chamber, the Economic Development Commission and the Military Affairs Council. Each has their own Director and there are two office assistants.

Some of the events coordinated by the three entities include a golf tournament, the Annual Chamber Recognition and Dinner, the New Teacher Breakfast, a Business Expo, All Treats Day, the Christmas Parade and Business After or During Business Hours, ribbon cuttings, candidate forums, and legislative coffees.

Next week’s guest speaker will be Kim Zimmerman, the City Manager for Junction City. The JC Breakfast Optimist Club has returned to the Hampton Inn for their meetings following extension remodeling at the hotel. Cub members gather at 6:30 AM for the breakfast buffet, the meeting begins at 6:50 AM and concludes at 7:30 AM.