Brian Cook

Let me just start by saying “THANKS!” to Sarah for taking the initiative to pull us all back together. I remember after the last reunion hearing the phrase “never again.” Fortunately, for the rest of us, time appears to have healed wounds. Thank you Sarah!

Life has been pretty great. After our HHS graduation in 1994, I attended Thomas More College, graduating in 1998 with degrees in Computer Science and Business. I studied a lot, got better grades than I did at HHS, lived at home, and worked in the evening. It was hard work. I remember thinking that I “owed” myself some craziness (more on that soon), and I often wondered if I’d regret missing out on a lot of what my friends had experienced at places like O.U., U.K., Centre, etc.

I did an internship at Convergys while still at Thomas More, and upon graduation, went to work for GE Aircraft Engines. GE sent me to work in Thailand from 1999-2000 (BINGO! – time to make up for those lost college years). Two years living in Bangkok was exciting, educational, and probably took 20 years off of my life (if you’ve seen “The Hangover 2,” you will understand what I’m talking about… you can also ask Alex Gainer, who paid me a visit in Bangkok – it was just like having Alan, played by Zach Galifianakis in the movie, at my side). 

Upon return to the USA in 2000, I met my beautiful wife, Tiffany. Tiffany is from Madeira and is a graduate of Xavier University. In 2004, we tied the knot, sold our house in Oakley and moved the suburbs of West Chester where life seemed to be pretty “normal.”

In 2004, I was still working for GE, selling jet engines to Asian airlines, and that had me traveling overseas quite a bit. On a fall day in 2006, Tiffany was surprised when I came home and announced that my job at GE was taking us to a new city – Singapore. Yes, we are still married, although I think I’ve been disowned as a son and son-in-law.

We’ve been living in Singapore since the early part of 2007, loving most of it, though frequently longing for ‘Dixie Chili’ and our friends and family at home. In 2010, I changed jobs / companies and am now the Vice President of Marketing for the world’s third largest commercial aircraft leasing company. My daily grind includes buying / selling / trading / financing commercial aircraft for the major airlines in Asia. I love it.

The highlight of 2011 has been the birth of our first child, Wyatt Arthur Cook, born on September 9^th. We’ve gone from jet-set international travelers to stay-at-home, diaper changing, tummy soothing, spit-up cleaning, scream calming, no sleeping, breast feeding (that’s not working out so well for me), PARENTS! It has been magical.

Sarah Laber

To kick off this blog, I thought I would start with an easy profile: my own.

After graduating HHS, I attended UC's DAAP program for Graphic Design. This was a 5 year program intermingling quarters of classes with quarters of working in the design industry. While you have the opportunity to travel and work anywhere, I chose to stay right here in Cincinnati partially for financial reasons, partially because I was still dating Pete Stieby but mostly because I knew I would never leave this area and wanted to make all the local working connections I could in an effort to ensure employment upon graduation.

Mission successful.

Pete and I married in 1997.

I graduated UC in June of 1999 and began working for a design agency where I had co-oped. A few weeks into my first full-time job, I discovered a belated graduation present:

our son, Alex, who is living proof that "What happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas."

A few years later we were blessed with a daughter, Anna and moved back to Fort Thomas to raise our kids as the Cake Eaters they were destine to be.

I continue to work in the marketing/branding industry but have changed courses slightly. I now manage the projects, clients and budgets vs. doing the design.

As a hobby beyond raising kids, I have a blog. It is my attempt to share my humor with the world. I also enjoy cooking, friends, family and food which pretty much sums up the topics on my blog. I still love soccer and have found an outlet in coaching my kids (though they don't seem to have much interest in the sport and I know my time is limited).

Recently, Pete and I added one more to our family. I am sure you can tell from the picture, Ella was a pleasant surprise (or at least pleasant after the initial shock wore off).

Now I have Pete, re-Pete and mini-Pete. The Laber genes seem to be rather weak. Of course I love each and every one of them. As hectic and crazy as life can be, I wouldn't have it any other way.