J. Daniel Cook, CPCU, CIC, CRM, ARM, AMIM, AAI, TRS
Principal & Practice Leader
National Transportation Practice, M&A Support and Alternative Risk Finance
500 1st Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
C (616) 690-5856
dcook@truenorthcompanies.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
Risk Financing Strategies, Alternative Risk Financing Programs, M&A Due Diligence, Transportation & Logistics, Risk Mitigation Systems. Having personally invested in over a dozen companies, Dan approaches solving business problems from an owner’s perspective.
INDUSTRY CONCENTRATION
Dan’s responsibilities include helping clients develop risk financing strategies related to reducing cost-of-risk on a long-term, sustainable basis that aligns with their operational objectives. Dan leads the national primary transportation practice in addition to heading large project teams; his passion stems from the 'innovate' and 'build' aspects of a business, procuring development of industry-leading processes, such as the 5C’s of Risk Financing™ approach.
Over the past 25 years Dan has developed a Risk Based Due Diligence model that assigns additive or derivative value against EBIDTA. Dan leads the TrueNorth M&A Advisory Group facilitating transactions from both the buy and sell sides.
EDUCATION
Dan graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Insurance. Since college, he has achieved numerous professional designations and awards to include the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Insurance Counselor CIC), Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) and Transportation Risk Specialist (TRS) designations.
ADMISSIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
Dan joined the TrueNorth team in 2013. Prior to that Dan was Vice President – National Accounts at Marsh & McLennan Agency Company. Previously holding executive positions with an insurance company, multiple insurance agencies and a national broker he brings a wealth of perspective. Dan is an avid student of insurance and finance and is deeply involved in the operational aspects of his clients' businesses. Dan has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, leading large account service teams in VA, TX, MI, MN, and GA. He has taught Continuing Legal Education in MI, VA, NC, MD, IA, and Washington D.C.
Dan presently serves on multiple boards within the transportation industry, to include presently as Chairman of Associates NAFC, Immediate Past Chairman of the NAFC M&A Task Force and as a champion for litigation reform serving as Chairman of the American Trucking Association Tort Reform Advisory Council and a member of the ATA Insurance Task Force.