David Cooke became Fort Worth’s city manager June 30, 2014, following a national search. Cooke is responsible for implementing the Mayor and City Council’s policies and managing the $1.6 billion city government enterprise with approximately 6,600 employees.

While the City of Fort Worth’s population grows at approximately 20,000 new citizens per year, Cooke’s focus is on:

• Exceptional customer service
• Maintaining a long-term perspective
• Stressing partnerships to provide services and solve complex public policy problems
• Planning and implementing the infrastructure needs of a growing city

His prior experience includes 13-1/2 years as County Manager and 4 years as Deputy County Manager, in Wake County, N.C.; and 12 years with the city of Charlotte, N.C.

Cooke has also worked with a full-service engineering and consulting firm, has taught economics at a community college, and was a presidential management intern with the Department of Defense.

Cooke received his undergraduate degree and master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.