CRIS 30th Anniversary Story | David Cook

David Cook: Helping Lay the Foundation

When David Cook joined CRIS in 1996 as a member of the then “board of advisors,” the organization wasn’t yet the name many Central Ohioans recognize today. Back then, it was a handful of staff members and a small group of “advisors” based out of a garage office at the Buddhist temple on Bexvie Avenue in east Columbus. David, a young immigration lawyer at the time, had just returned to the Vorys law firm after several years at Honda when he received a letter from CRIS founder Khamsing Rajamountry outlining the organization’s mission and inviting him to get involved.

He said yes.

David brought not only his legal expertise but an interest in immigration work that had long shaped his career. After spending time in Japan during his undergraduate studies, he was drawn to immigration law–and Columbus–through opportunities at Honda. While most of his work has focused on the business side of immigration–work visas, green cards, etc.--he’s also become well-acquainted with other realms of immigration law. In that experience, he’s held a longstanding desire to provide pro bono legal services when possible. “It’s just very fulfilling to help people out who have come from, in many situations, difficult circumstances and try to help them stay here and improve their lives,” he said.

By 1999, CRIS had grown enough to formally incorporate as an independent nonprofit. David became chair of the newly established board of trustees and helped lead efforts to expand the board’s expertise—adding members with backgrounds in banking, healthcare, government affairs, and more. “We were always asking, ‘How do we grow this beyond limited services and a smaller community so we can serve more people?’”

Looking back, David remembers when opening a second CRIS office on the west side of Columbus felt somewhat like a risk for the budding organization. “Some people thought it was a stretch—staffing it, funding it, expanding services,” he said. “But seeing what CRIS has become over the past 30 years—the reach, the recognition, the impact—it’s truly inspirational.”

CRIS' growth has never been just about one person. It’s taken visionaries, volunteers, case managers, donors—and board members like David. As CRIS marks 30 years of welcoming and support, we honor the many individuals who’ve quietly shaped its path from behind the scenes, providing guidance, governance, and a belief in what was possible.