JIM COOPER: Professional Resume
Home Address: *** ***** ***** *****, **** Haze, (Charlotte County),
Florida 33946
Home Phone: 941-***-****, or Home E-Mail: *******@*******.***
Position Goal: Construction Project Management
How I believe I can add value in this position. I understand the importance
of working as a successful team leader in setting and attaining high
quality goals. I have a proven track record of adding value to construction
project management and budgets by attaining goals via cost effective ideas
and experience. While on active duty in the Air Force as a base Commander
for more than 4 years I personally led and supervised 6 department heads
and 1,200 employees for the Air Force based I commanded. Over the past 15
years as the Bridge Authority's Director I successfully managed several
major roads, bridges and building construction projects. I always delivered
all projects on time or ahead of schedule and stayed within my annual
budget, while attaining all annual goals set by the Board. I served as a
successful public relations author and ambassador to the media, government
officials and the community.
Availability for an Interview: Any time after December 11, 2013
Local professional leadership success at work
I have been a full time resident in this desirable west coast Florida area
for more than 15 years. While living here and working at the Bridge
Authority, I have enjoyed positive, successful, professional working
relationships with the county commissioners, engineers, building
department, legal and environmental staff. Likewise with State
professionals on multiple projects with FDEP, DOT, the TIIF and the US
Coast Guard.
Professional Career: I have just retired after 15 successful years as the
first CEO/Executive Director for the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority
(GIBA):1998-2013 in Placida, FL. I successfully managed an annual budget
of $4.5 Million and 20 employees, plus a new toll system. I attained daily
success training, supervising and motivating the employee team, while
planning, upgrading and improving daily bridge and toll operations,
maintenance, customer service, toll pass sales, and all GIBA facilities. At
the same time, I successfully planned the gradual replacement of out dated
toll operations equipment and roadways and for future replacement of all
three GIBA bridges and toll operations software and hardware.
1998-1999: Bid, coordinated & managed $3 Million major mechanical
restoration & renovation for the
Swing Bridge, 2 concrete bridges & 2.5 miles of
causeway roads: new safety & reliability
Dec 2001: Gov. Bush "Cuts the Ribbon" for GIBA's new $2.2 Mil 3-lane
"Millennium Toll Plaza" &
Praises the GIBA as a model of "leadership
excellence" for all Special Districts to emulate
Mar 2002: GIBA earns State Level American Publics Works Association
Award (APWA) for the:
Cost Innovative & Valued-Added "Bridge, Toll & Roads
System Improvements in Florida"
Mar 2004: Revised U.S. Coast Guard Bridge Opening Schedule: Now less
repairs & better traffic flow
Feb 2006: Managed $1 Mil. Construction of a new Admin. Building earning
architectural merit award
June 2009: Managed the toll system bid & replacement to a custom
tailored RFID & bar code toll system.
Mar 2012- April 2013: Managed the 2 fixed bridges final design &
permitting with DRMP, Orlando. Managed the bid process & the contract
award. The GIBA Project Manager for all GIBA on-site project mobilization
and set up, the Construction Engineering Oversight by KCCS Engineering
Services (Ft Myers) Tampa) and the onsite Marine Contractor, Orion Marine
(Tampa) successful $14.3 Million rebuilding of the new causeway South Fixed
ridge and the new Center Fixed Bridge and successfully managed the monthly
billing details and all oversight of invoicing and payments for a new FDOT
special program to procure via a lease a needed temporary South Bridge
during the rebuild of new South Bridge.
GIBA Web Site and information:
www.giba.us
Page 2: Jim Cooper Professional Resume
AIR FORCE CAREER: 26 years flying & key leadership roles. Retired in June
1993: Rank: Lt Colonel
. Last Command: Base Commander, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho (1989-1993) Air
Combat Command
. Earned coveted Best Base in Air Force Award for Mountain Home Air Force
Base (1991) for on-time and under budget project management of 3 major
community construction projects: $16 Million new Hospital Building, $8
Million new Wing Headquarters and $2 Million new Fighter Squadron
building and major improvements and upgrades to base indoor and outdoor
sports and recreation programs.
. Received Governor of Idaho Award (1993) as Air Force Director for
leadership managing successful Environmental Impact Statement & readying
Base facilities to bed-down 6 new flying squadrons.
. Graduate of USAF School of Engineering for Base Commanders for
Engineering and Services
FLIGHT CAREER: 15 years of flying jet transport and fighter aircraft and
earning numerous awards
. AC-119G Gunship (1 Year Vietnam) 180 Night Combat Missions earned Army
Night Support Award
. C-141A (5 years) McGuire, NJ: Israel War & end of Vietnam re-supply and
Nuclear Crew Award.
. F-ll1 A,D, & E Fighter (8 years): Nuclear Alert: RAF Upper Heyford, UK,
New Mexico & Nevada
Key Air Force Staff & Leadership Positions:
-- Austin, TX (4 years): 12 AF HQ & 602 TACC: Air Operations Sr. Planner:
Air-Ground War Plans
-- Seoul, Korea (1 year): Joint HQ, Air Staff Command HQ, Wrote Theater Air
Campaign-War Plans
-- Tactical Air Command HQ (4 Years): Sr. Planner for Four-Star level 4-
Service Joint Warfare Review
-- Mt. Home AFB, ID (4 Years), Base Commander & Pentagon's New Composite
Wing Mission liaison
Military Education: Air Command & Staff College, BA, & Squadron
Officers School, BA
Masters Level: National Security Management, MS, & Air War
College, MS
Public Advanced Education:
College: Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, AL - BA:
Engineering & Law
Grad School: Cumberland Law School (18 months)- Vietnam Draft
intervened & joined US Air Force
Masters Level: Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL -
MBA: Business with honors
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN - MA:
Human Relations with honors
Community Leadership:
County Government: 7 yrs: Sarasota County - Environmentally Sensitive
Lands Preservation Board
6 yrs: Sarasota County - Myakka River
Protections & Oversight Boards
3 times: Charlotte County - Placida
Area Planning Board & County Vision Group
Local Rotary Club: Placida Rotary Club: Past Club President & Paul
Harris Award Fellow
Mentor & Big Brother: 7 years in West Charlotte County schools for the Big
Brother-Big Sisters program.
Environmental Stewardship: President: Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC): Now
and Past 7 years
Managed the successful private funding, and daily management and protection
of nearby coastal environmentally sensitive lands. Successfully led the
$800,000 LBC acquisition of 80 Acre Wild Flower golf course in 2011 (Paid
off in 2012). Successfully converted it to a premier Wild Flower nature
preserve. Initiated first ever juvenile tarpon data study with Mote Marine.
Web Site: www.lemonbayconservancy.org
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES: Gladly furnished upon request