A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Keri Cook

Keri Cook is very dedicated to her job and pouring into the Portage community through her work. She serves as a clerk for the City of Portage in the Clerk Treasurer’s Office at Portage City Hall.

“I love getting to help the residents of Portage,” she said. “It’s so rewarding.”

Her role, which she has been in for almost four years, involves a multitude of tasks mainly related to utilities. Because Cook sits at the department’s front desk, oftentimes her role involves greeting citizens upon their arrival and directing them to resources.

“I enjoy the face-to-face interactions with our community members when they come in,” she said. “I’m at the front counter and get to see a plethora of faces. We have so many wonderful community members, and it’s so great to get to know them through my work as a clerk.”

Several of the individuals who come in are new home owners who need to set up new utility billing and close previous utilities.

“Many times, it’s individuals who are getting established in Portage as new home owners,” said Cook.

Cook has a very warm, friendly, and patient personality that’s perfect for the front desk. She loves the team she gets to work with each day in her role.

“I work with a great team of people in city hall,” she said. “Municipalities aren’t for the faint of heart, but genuinely I feel that everyone here wants to help.”

Cook grew up in Miller just outside Portage. At age 19, she started working in Portage. Across these decades of work in Portage, she’s been in multiple roles, including food and beverage.

“My first role in Portage as a teenager was a bartender,” she said. “I have bartended in Portage for almost 30 years. I managed Clancy’s for years, and I still work part-time at the Social Goat and Stone Quarry.”

Having worked in Portage for so many years, Cook has had the opportunity to really get to know the city.

“I love the growth and that it has been able to continue with a small-town feel,” she said.

While Cook loves Portage and its various community aspects, she also enjoys venturing outside the area to travel. She also really loves the beach. Both traveling and going to the beach are hobbies for her.

Cook has an undoubtable, unwavering devotion to her community and to her work. It’s this dedication that makes her so successful in her job, her relationship with the community, and more. As she continues to welcome community members to city hall and assist them with their utility billing, utility set up, and other necessary tasks, community members will continue to be touched by her through her quality work.