WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Kenneth W. Cooper was still in school, a conversation with a peer changed his life.
Cooper was working in a factory in Shelby and going to The Ohio State University at Mansfield branch at night.
“The guy next to me asked me what I was going to school for, and I told him business,” Cooper said. “Then he said, ‘When you get your degree, come travel the world with me.’
“He was in electrical, and when I graduated, I chose to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.”
Cooper joined the IBEW in 1986 at the local 688 Mansfield Chapter. The IBEW represents electrical workers across the United States and Canada. Cooper said there are 750,000 members scattered across 800 local chapters.
Most recently, Cooper was the Fourth District Vice President
“I chose the IBEW for a lot of reasons,” he said. “Electricity is a part of everyone’s life. I knew if I learned that, I could feed my family for the rest of my life.”
In May, Cooper was appointed as the International Secretary Treasurer of the union in Washington D.C. filling the unexpired term of Salvatore Chilia.
“It’s been quite the ride the last two months,” Cooper said. “It’s been very busy. Packed with meetings.”
Cooper said his main responsibilities as chief financial officer include budgeting and financing funds for members.
“I really enjoy it. It’s a huge challenge,” he said. “Every day is a new challenge.
“The biggest thing the IBEW is impact middle-class families to be able to retire and be paid fairly. We also see how we can add benefits to their health plan.”
Cooper added he is having fun at his new job, but is focused on helping the members of the brotherhood.
“It’s a great honor to serve the members,” he said. “I am going to work hard to leave the IBEW better than I found it.”
