The Augusta Metro Youth Foundation was started by Bob Cook in the early 1990's with the aim of positively impacting the lives of area youth. Over the years we have donated our time and money to various causes in the CSRA.  Included among those causes have been youth, basketball, various youth organizations and local schools, along with many deserving individuals.

Our efforts, while they've had some limited success, have not resulted in the kind of lasting social impact that we had envisioned. Frankly, we've concluded that anybody can teach a kid how to dribble a basketball or shoot a jump shot and lots of non-profit organizations have the means to write checks for scholarships, sports equipment, and travel expenses.  We've been there and done all of that.  

Now what remains is the earnest desire to add value in the community in which we live as well as the virtual community at large.  The People's Place is both the physical and virtual platform we will use to carry out that mission.  Through written as well as video submissions, we will share our perspective and also communicate what we believe to be vital information on a range of topics which will include but not be limited to:

Smart Buying

Personal Financial Planning

Investing and Insurance

Business Consulting

Current Events

Over time The People's Place will become a valuable community asset .  We will be actively seeking out individuals with "something to say" to add their perspectives to our site and we strongly encourage anyone interested becoming a contributing author to make that interest known to us.

Here's our official list of content content contributors:

Robert E (Bob) Cook is the Founder and Chairman of the foundation.  As a former CEO of multiple billion dollar corporations with successful track record that spans over four decades, Bob has the background and experience to provide both overall leadership and practical advice on a wide range of topics, which include all of the items listed above.  Bob has an undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and a law degree from the University of Denver.

Keenan Mann is the foundation's Executive Director.  He has over twenty years of managerial and directorial experience at the corporate level.  As a former high school and college basketball player in the Augusta area, he has also developed strong ties to the community. Keenan as both a BA and an MBA from Augusta State University and he also holds a Series 65 license from the North American Securities Administrators Association, which qualifies him as an investment adviser representative an enables him to provide investment advice to clients.  He is also a holds Georgia state licenses to sell all the major insurance lines (Life, Accident and Sicknes, Property, Casualty)

Matthew Miller is currently attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY where he is an Engineering major and basketball player.  Prior to starting college in New York, Matt was both a standout homeschool student and basketball player in the Augusta, Georgia area.