Reston Native Nate Mook Honored For Humanitarian Relief Efforts

RESTON, VA — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution honoring Reston native Nate Mook for his humanitarian work, including his role as the former CEO of the World Central Kitchen, which served 60 million meals, while helping to build sustainable local food systems across the globe.

"These humanitarian crises, whether they're caused by climate or corrupt governments or other reasons, a lot of times it's hard for us to stay focused on the victims," Chairman Jeff McKay said, during the board's meeting on Tuesday. "There's so much coverage always of the storm or the movement, but not a lot of profiles of the many innocent people who are victimized when these incidents occur. Being able to provide them a healthy meal may not seem like a lot. It's huge."

Mook was also honored for his current role as the president of the Ukraine Foundation and as a filmmaker. He produced "Baltimore Rising" and direct-shot documentaries in Somalia, Haiti, Colombia, Panama, Uganda, Kenya, Iraq and Liberia.

"Knowing that there's a little sliver of Fairfax County DNA in you, makes us very proud," McKay said. "While you're doing so many things internationally, your local community here is so proud of the work you've done and the lives that you've changed in people's worst times. Thank you so much on behalf of the 1.1 million residents of Fairfax County."

Moot grew up in Reston and is a graduate of South Lakes High School. His mother, historian Sarah Larson, founded the Reston Museum, which infused his interest in storytelling.

"He was greatly inspired by his grandparents, Cal and Nancy Larson, who had a long history of giving themselves in service of others," Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said, at Tuesday's meeting.

"It truly is an honor to be here today, not only because I grew up in Reston and in Fairfax County, but ... it really shaped who I am today," Moot said. "This is a community where service to others is a central core value."

Below is the full text of the resolution introduced by Alcorn and adopted unanimously by the board of supervisors on Tuesday:

Background:

Mr. Chairman and colleagues, I am sure you are aware of World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by renown chef and philanthropist José Andrés that serves chef-prepared meals to communities impacted by natural disasters and other crisis. What you may not be aware of is that World Central Kitchen has been led for almost five years until recently by Reston and Fairfax County native Nate Mook. As CEO of World Central Kitchen, Nate embodied their mission of boots on the ground serving meals. He began working with Chef Andrés and World Central Kitchen in 2012 and together they produced a documentary on Haiti. In 2017, Nate joined World Central Kitchen to lead its food relief efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and became CEO in early 2018. Since then he has traveled to other locations worldwide including several months providing assistance in war-torn Ukraine. Under his leadership, World Central Kitchen served more than 60 million meals, while also helping to build local sustainable food systems. Working nonstop since he joined World Central Kitchen, Nate decided to step down as CEO, although he continues to work with Chef Andrés.

Nate has many other accomplishments, but serving millions of hungry people in time of need in difficult locations is exceptional.

Motion:

Therefore Mr. Chairman, I request that the Office of Public Affairs prepare a certificate to be presented to Nate Mook in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian efforts at the Oct. 11 Board of Supervisors meeting.