- Cooper will step down after completing his 10th year as Northern Kentucky Chamber president and plans to refocus his attention on C-Forward.
- During Cooper’s tenure, Chamber membership increased 22% to 1,750 members, while the organization expanded its business councils and regional advocacy.
- Cooper helped position the Chamber as a regional convener on infrastructure, housing, workforce and other issues affecting Northern Kentucky’s businesses.
Brent Cooper was originally drawn to the role of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce president because of his experience as a small-business owner.
As the founder of C-Forward, a Covington-based information technology business, Cooper felt his background gave him a distinct perspective that helped him relate to the everyday challenges faced by the organization’s members.
“I think it was that perspective of a small business owner,” Cooper said. “I think I also had the benefit of being involved in so many different nonprofits and community efforts over the years that I could speak to those issues and those challenges directly with people because I lived them myself.”
Now entering his 10th year as chamber president, Cooper has decided this will be his final year in the role. He assumed the helm in 2017. Cooper confirmed he plans to remain in the role for the upcoming year.
In a conversation with LINK nky, Cooper said that now is the ideal time to announce his departure, as he believes the organization is well-positioned to manage the transition. In addition, Cooper plans on placing renewed focus on his business, C-Forward.
During this tenure, Cooper has overseen a 22% increase in membership, according to a chamber press release. As of now, the chamber has 1,750 members.
Larry Krauter, CEO of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, said Cooper’s focus on attracting small businesses helped increase the Chamber’s enrollment, while also providing those businesses with a steadfast advocate.
“I’ve found Brent to be a truly tireless advocate for the business community in Northern Kentucky,” Krauter said. “He went after and established the business councils across Northern Kentucky and those have been incredibly successful in helping enroll more small businesses into the Chamber.”
Over the past nine years, Cooper has been a fixture in Northern Kentucky’s business, political and nonprofit communities. He has publicly moderated numerous panels, emceed forums with hundreds of participants, lobbied for regional businesses in Frankfort, and attended numerous groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting events.
Cooper said one of his strong suits as Chamber president is his ability to “connect the dots for members”— essentially explaining to businesses and residents how major regional issues that may seem distant or unrelated actually impact them economically.
As a region, Cooper said Northern Kentucky is more economically integrated than ever before, yet remains politically and geographically fragmented. Northern Kentucky is home to three counties and over 35 municipalities — many of which have their own police and fire services. However, regional economic activities can extend beyond municipal and county borders. Understanding this, Cooper leveraged his position as Chamber president to act as a convener and facilitator.
“I could say, ‘This is why your small business in Fort Thomas should care about what’s happening at the airport,'” Cooper said. “This is why your small business in Newport should care about what’s happening in Florence. Florence, this is why you should care about the Brent Spence Bridge.’”
Infrastructure lobbying and regional advocacy were central themes of Cooper’s presidency, as the organization played a pivotal role in campaigning for federal infrastructure legislation that facilitated the Brent Spence Bridge project, which is currently underway. Moreover, Cooper’s chamber championed various initiatives focused on analyzing regional issues such as housing, workforce development, education and tourism.
Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore credited Cooper with strengthening Northern Kentucky’s collective lobbying efforts in Frankfort, particularly regarding funding for critical infrastructure projects.
“When we’re trying to get projects funded, whether they be road projects or other capital projects,” Moore said, “Having a strong voice in Frankfort speaking about the region has really been an asset, and Brent’s leadership has elevated that.”
Cooper said the most consequential period of his Chamber presidency was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus and subsequent shutdowns imposed by state governments risked cratering regional economies across the country.
During this time, Cooper said the Chamber focused on helping businesses navigate relief programs and evolving regulations. The organization undertook initiatives such as restaurant relief funds and connected businesses with Paycheck Protection Program loans, all in an attempt to stave off widespread economic fallout.
“I think during the pandemic, people saw it,” Cooper said. “They saw how we could connect the dots, how we get through a crisis.”
Going forward, Cooper said the Chamber’s executive committee will retain an executive search firm to formally guide the search. The effort will be headed by Krauter.
In the coming weeks, the Chamber plans to share additional information about the search committee and the application process.
Cooper is a member of LINK nky’s managing board.
