Donald Cook, former California principal safety engineer and longtime National Board member, was posthumously awarded the 2021 C. O. Myers Safety Medal. His wife Diana and daughter Olivia received the award in his honor.

A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in mechanical engineering, Cook joined the state of California in 1989. In 2003, he was named the state’s principal safety engineer and was elected to National Board membership.

Cook managed one of the largest National Board jurisdictions in North America and served on several committees throughout his career, including 15 years on National Board Inspection Code committees, and six years as chairman of the NBIC Main Committee, from 2012-2018.

In 2016, he was elected to the Board of Trustees as second vice chairman.

Cook passed away November 4, 2019, at the age of 59. He is survived by his wife, Diana, and daughter, Olivia.

The highest honor bestowed by the National Board, the medal is named in honor of its founder, C. O. Myers.

The medal acknowledges Mr. Myers’ lifelong dedication to public safety and is awarded to an individual who has contributed to the advancement of boiler and pressure vessel safety through professional leadership, technical knowledge and code development, education and training, and support of boiler and pressure vessel safety legislation.

To be considered for the C. O. Myers Safety Medal, letters of recommendation must be submitted by three individuals who can attest to his or her safety contributions within the boiler and pressure vessel industry, at least two of which must be from National Board members.

(L-R) NBBI Executive Director, Joel Amato, Diana Cook, Olivia Cook, and Chairman, NBBI Board of Trustees, Chris Cantrell