Freddy Cook on military intelligence, climbing poles for Bell Atlantic, a career in cybersecurity, and running the LA Marathon at 50.

Fredrick Cook was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, and raised across Atlanta, growing up in deeply racially mixed communities that shaped how he sees people and perspective. He came of age with undiagnosed autism and depression. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving nearly six years in Military Intelligence. After the military, he began his civilian career in telecommunications as a pole climber for Bell Atlantic, eventually working his way up to Tier 3 support for the Department of Defense's fiber-optic network.

In 2007, Fredrick pivoted into cybersecurity—first as a DoD contractor, then as a DoD civilian. In 2019, he left the federal government, moved to Los Angeles, and at 50 years old ran the Los Angeles Marathon.

Three years ago, he co-founded Cyber Pathways, helping high-school students and career changers see a path to a tech career without college debt. Today, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife and youngest son, working as a cybersecurity consultant, teacher, mentor, and firearm instructor—focused on growth, accountability, and building real pathways forward.

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