The shareholder whose friendly face and voice have greeted visitors to CIRI’s Anchorage offices for more than 17 years has retired. “Mary Cook started at CIRI in July 1986. Since then, her smile and cheerful greeting have become familiar to countless shareholders and business associates,” CIRI Executive Vice President Barbara Donatelli said. “We’re sad to see her go but are also excited about the new and rewarding plans she’s made for her retirement.”

According to Cook, those plans don’t include sitting around. “My husband Jim and I are going to Nevada and Utah next week to visit friends. After that, I’ve got a long list of books I’d like to read and I’m thinking about taking some cooking classes,” Cook said.

Will she miss her job? Yes: “I’ve enjoyed each day working for CIRI and will miss my ‘CIRI family.’” And they’ll miss her.