Cole at a glance

Cole spent his early years growing up in Southern Alabama and on his family’s peanut farms in North Florida. Cole’s family is fourth-generation Floridians. His formative years taught him the importance of community service and political activism as he watched his “granddaddies” fulfill their civic duties.

In 1983, Cole’s family moved to Fort Myers, FL. His father continued his career in the agricultural field as his mother raised their three sons while working in the Lee County Public School District. Cole graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1992 where he achieved many accomplishments. One that he is most proud of is earning the Sam Sirianni Award. He went onto further his education at Cumberland University where he played football, was a DJ at the college radio station and was involved in student government. After graduation, Cole returned home to Fort Myers. Cole and his bride, Rachel, have three beautiful children: Sterling, Hannah and Jackson. The family enjoys living in Lee County supporting their community in a variety of ways. He never forgot the importance of family and civic duty.

Cole began his career in the Florida Legislature as a legislative aide. After years of administering multiple political campaigns including Keith Arnold for Governor, City of Fort Myers Mayor Jim Humphrey and State Senator Dave Aronberg, Cole joined CHICO’S, a major Florida based retailer in 2002 where he spent the next seven years overseeing communications, governmental and corporate relations and charitable giving. His tenure includes producing sales tax holidays, lawsuit reform, securing corporate program funding, workforce and free trade legislation as well as directing crisis management and relief efforts nationwide. He helped create Chico’s Charities, Inc. and led fundraising initiatives that donated much needed dollars to the many Chico’s communities.

Cole has 16 years of experience in the areas of governmental affairs and non-profits and seven years in corporate relations including charitable giving, community development, investor relations, crisis management and social responsibility.

Currently, Cole is the President of his own company, RC Peacock Consulting, that credits Hope Health Care Services (Hope Hospice) and the Florida Retail Federation as clients. At Hope Hospice, Cole is assisting with the non-profit agency’s branding, community relations, marketing, corporate strategy, internal and external strategies as well as building new markets and relationships for Hope Care with leaders in our community.