Kareem Cook (VI) Joins Prep for Prep’s Board of Trustees

Kareem is the founder and Managing Director of Towerview Capital Management (TCM), a private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyouts of middle-market companies focused on preventative medicine, healthier products, and healthier lifestyles. He is also a co-owner and Chief Marketing Officer of Naturade, a nutraceutical company that sells vitamins and supplements.  

Influenced by obesity, diabetes and heart disease in their own families, Kareem and Naturade co-owner Claude Tellis have positioned Naturade to address the diet-related illnesses epidemic in underserved communities by providing “Whole Foods quality products to a Walmart consumer.” Naturade has gained distribution into Costco, Whole Foods Market, Target, and 10,000 other retail stores. In December 2022, Costco directed 25% of profits from the sale of Naturade products during the 2021-2022 fiscal year to Prep for Prep. This generous donation of $197,000 was facilitated by Kareem. An additional 25 percent was given to LEADership, Education and Development (LEAD), an organization of which Naturade co-owner Claude Tellis is an alum.

Prior to owning Naturade, Kareem co-founded Healthy Body Products (HBP), a healthy

beverage and snack distribution company based in Los Angeles. HBP was the first

company to place vending machines exclusively serving healthy snacks and beverages

in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). HBP was instrumental in the

banning of junk food in LAUSD and later in banning the sale of junk food in the state of

California. Within two years of the company's founding, HBP was awarded the contract

to supply all of the high schools and middle schools in Los Angeles, totaling over 130

schools. Kareem and his partner were invited by President Bill Clinton and Governor

Mike Huckabee to present to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in Arkansas on

HBP's story and best practices.

Kareem earned his bachelor’s degree from Duke University in 1994 and his MBA from Duke

University's Fuqua School of Business in 2000. He currently serves on the Duke Alumni

Association Board of Directors.