Encouraging Community Involvement for Better Kentucky: Suggestions by NKY Chamber President and University of Kentucky Alumnus, Brent Cooper
Bradley Cooper: From UK Graduate to CEO of Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Bradley Cooper, a lifelong fan of the University of Kentucky, graduated from the institution in 1991 with a degree in sociology and a minor in history. After graduation, Cooper had initially planned to attend law school. However, his interest in entrepreneurship took a different turn.
Cooper's entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by his family background, as both his dad and grandpa were entrepreneurs. This spirit led him to start his own venture, C-Forward, an IT support business based in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He founded the company in March of 1999, with seed money provided by his mother.
C-Forward's initial vision was to offer small businesses the same quality network services as large businesses. This vision resonated with the market, and C-Forward grew a loyal following of customers, averaging nearly 50% growth in its first three years. The company's original slogan was "Helping you look forward to the future," which later evolved to "We make IT easy."
Cooper's proficiency with both Macs and PCs, a skill he developed during his time at UK, proved to be a valuable asset in the IT world. This expertise led to C-Forward being recognised as Small Business of the Year by both the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. The company has also received awards from numerous growth organisations, including the Better Business Bureau and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Before his role at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Cooper was an entrepreneur but the search results do not provide specific details about what kind of business he ran or whether he held a leadership position there. However, his experience in business and IT has been instrumental in his current role as the President and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, with 1,750 members, is one of the largest chambers in the state. Cooper believes involvement in a chamber of commerce is a great way to learn about the community and give back by promoting business and welcoming people into the community. His role has been particularly beneficial during the pandemic, as he could speak directly to the impact on businesses.
Cooper's love for sports, particularly basketball, was significant during his time at UK. He recalls camping out for basketball tickets and was front row for three straight years during the Pitino era. This passion for sports, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit and IT expertise, makes Bradley Cooper a unique and valuable leader in both the business and IT communities.
