After growing up in the Stanton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Jack Cohen moved to Cranberry Township in 1991. Noted as one of the fastest growing communities in the country, Jack was originally drawn to the area seeing it as an ideal place to live and the perfect place to raise a family. Discovering all the beauty and recreational treasures in the area soon followed and Jack fell in love with Butler County. Ever since, Jack has been committed to the promotion and betterment of the county.
In 1994, Jack opened Safari Sam’s Family Entertainment Center on Route 19 in the heart of Cranberry Township. The business grew over his 10 years of ownership and Safari Sam's quickly became one of Butler County's most successful family destinations.
Becoming an active member of the community was important to Jack and joining the Cranberry Area Chamber of Commerce in 1995 launched what was to become his impressive list of board and association memberships.
In 2001, Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau (BCTCB) was founded as the first official tourism promotion and development organization for the county and Jack jumped in with both feet as an active board member and board chair.
In 2003, Jack stepped in as Executive Director of BCTCB. Since 2003, Jack's dedication and vision have been instrumental in the growth of the Bureau. BCTCB started as a three employee organization with an annual revenue of $500,000 and under Jack's leadership has grown to ten full time staff members, an annual revenue of over $2 million and is one of the most successful and respected convention bureaus in the state and the country.
Perhaps one of Jack's most notable contributions to Butler County is the conceptualization of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. Upon discovering that the Jeep was invented in Butler County, Jack jumped on the opportunity to create a community event celebrating and acknowledging the phenomenon that is the Jeep culture. Since its conception in 2009 and the first event in 2011, the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival has become one of the most anticipated events of the year and attracts Jeep enthusiasts from all over the continent.
In addition to his role as President of BCTCB, Jack dedicates his time to several other associations that over the years, have assisted him in the positive promotion and growth of Butler County. Jack is Chair of the Pennsylvania Destination Marketing Organization for the Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association and has served as the Vice President of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County since 2012. He is also a Board Member of the Moraine Preservation Fund and the Cranberry Township Sister Cities Association with Haiyang, China.
In addition to all of Jack's current leadership roles, Jack was previously the president of the International Association of Family Entertainment Centers and Pittsburgh & Its Countryside. He also served on the board of the North Country National Scenic Trail from 2007-2013, as well as the Butler Community Health Clinic. He also spent six years on the board for Cranberry Township's Parks and Recreation department.
Over the years, Jack's prominent position has given him the opportunity to travel across the country and all over the globe for the betterment of Butler County. He's visited countries such as China and France by invitation from government leaders and was even an International Ambassador for Hard Rock Hotels.
Jack resides in Cranberry Township with his wife of 37 years and enjoys spending time with his ever-growing family of three children and four grandchildren.