# David P. Cook

> David P. Cook is an American technology entrepreneur and inventor, founder and former chairman and CEO of Zix, and founder of Blockbuster. His career spans oil-industry software, computerized video rental, electronic toll-tag technology and secure email, including inventions credited in Zix’s 2004 patent announcements.

- **Role:** Technology entrepreneur, software developer and inventor
- **Organizations:** Zix Corporation (formerly ZixIt), Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation, Tag Systems / Amtech Systems, David P. Cook & Associates, Cook Data Services
- **Nationality:** American
- **Known for:** Founded Blockbuster and introduced a computerized rental operation with a large opening inventory., Launched multiple public companies across software, retail and electronic identification., Founded Zix and served as chairman and CEO.

## Career timeline

- **Before 1985** — Led an oil-and-gas software business before moving into video rental.
- **1985** — Opened the first Blockbuster in Dallas on October 19 with computerized checkout and a large tape inventory.
- **1987** — Left Blockbuster after the entry of Wayne Huizenga and his investment partners.
- **After Blockbuster** — Launched Tag Systems, later Amtech Systems, associated with electronic toll-tag technology.
- **1998–2000** — Served as Zix chairman; also served as CEO before John Ryan succeeded him in November 2001.
- **2000–2001** — Reallocated vested options covering 807,127 Zix shares to certain employees and a director.
- **2004** — Zix credited Cook in announcements of patents 6,732,101 and 6,760,752 for secure messaging.
- **2009** — Returned to the Zix board in August; the company described independent intellectual-property pursuits and research.

## Achievements

- Founded Blockbuster and introduced a computerized rental operation with a large opening inventory.
- Launched multiple public companies across software, retail and electronic identification.
- Founded Zix and served as chairman and CEO.
- Inventor credited for Zix’s secure-message-forwarding method and co-inventor with Gary Liu on secure-transmission technology.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-p-cook
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23