Member Profile: Mike Cook, RLA, CLIA Vice President, Planning & Landscape Architecture Firma Design Group

Why did you join YPN?

As a young entrepreneur who just started my own business, I was looking for opportunities to engage with my community and meet fellow professionals and YPN allowed me to do this and meet individuals within my age range. The evening gatherings were perfect, as I always had full days of meetings schedules. YPN was a perfect solution for me at that time!

What do you feel you have gotten out of the organization?

I got a LOT out of it. I am still in contact with friends and fellow professionals to this day that I met at YPN. Meeting in a casual, laid-back atmosphere also was very helpful for someone new to the “scene” and was very easy to meet new friends and professionals. Being on the Board and also Chair of the Board was one of the best things that I could have done to help myself and YPN.

Is there anything in particular that has stood out of what you have gained from your time in YPN?

Just the other day, I was part of a mentoring program at SSU and I saw several people that I met at YPN! Sonoma County has a small network of professionals and young professionals should take every opportunity from YPN. I would not be as successful as I am today, if I had not been a part of YPN.