University of New England

Allied/Cook Construction:
Three Generations Building Education

When David Cook saw the multi-million dollar Van Gogh Irises being unloaded into the formerly named Payson Gallery of Art at Westbrook College, he knew the striking cube-shaped building his family’s firm had built in 1977 would be part of something special.

Stephanie and Matt Cook, Daniel and Destiny Cook, and David and LA Cook.

An integral part of the Westbrook College Campus’ history for 50 years, the firm his father founded — Allied/Cook Construction — has built or renovated over a dozen projects on both campuses, just a few of which include the Art Gallery, the Parker Pavilion/CHP Lecture Hall and Finley Recreation Center on the Westbrook College Campus, and renovations of Decary Hall’s façade and cafeteria on the University Campus in Biddeford.

“UNE’s programs and students positively impact the entire state and region, and that’s something we’re proud to support.” David Cook President, Allied/Cook Construction

Allied/Cook is a family-owned full service commercial construction firm, established in Portland, Maine in 1958 by Donald W. Cook. His son David became president of the firm in 1977 and today he remains an owner and CEO, joined by a third generation — sons Daniel and Matthew and daughter Sarah.

College of Pharmacy
With their latest project, the College of Pharmacy building, Allied/Cook is once again excited to participate in UNE’s growth and they are proud to be part of the University’s first “green” LEED-certified building project.

Matt Cook said, “The management at Allied/Cook believes in being a good corporate citizen, and we believe in the merits of sustainable building practices. We’re getting more involved in the green building movement all the time.”

Scholarship Gift
The family recently took their corporate citizenship and support of UNE to a new level when they donated a substantial gift towards scholarships for Maine students to attend the University.

“UNE’s programs and students positively impact the entire state and region, and that’s something we’re proud to support,” said David Cook. “As for this project, we’re working hard to make sure the pharmacy students enter those doors in Fall ’09, and we’ll be right there celebrating with everyone at UNE.”

(Press release posted 8/27/2008)