Youth News
Robert Cooper Named New Executive Director of the National FFA Foundation
Tue, 11 May 2010 11:24:47 CDT
The National FFA Foundation has announced that Robert K. Cooper of Bishop, GA, will become executive director effective June 14, 2010.
Dr. Larry D. Case, national FFA advisor and coordinator, Agricultural and Rural Education, U.S. Department of Education, announced the appointment to National FFA staff and state agricultural education leaders, saying, "Rob Cooper brings to this position a solid combination of educational fundraising and executive management experience, along with a nuanced understanding of national youth organizations. I'm confident he will position the National FFA Foundation to help meet the needs of FFA and all of agricultural education."
In accepting the position, Cooper said, "I am thrilled to get to work with the team in Indianapolis. I see a tremendous opportunity for this top-notch group to build on a wonderfully strong history and take the National FFA Foundation to the next level."
Since 2006, Cooper has served as senior director for the Office of College Advancement in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia, where he directed all activities related to development and alumni relations. During his tenure at the College, he cultivated several multi-million dollar gifts and grew the development budget by more than 50 percent.
From 2004-2006, Cooper was the director of development for the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He previously served as the executive director of the Maryland 4-H Foundation from 2000-2004. Cooper was also assistant director of alumni and donor relations for the National 4-H Council from 1998-2000; prior to that he was a district executive for the Boy Scouts of America.
Cooper holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware. He is an active volunteer with the United Way, Rotary and American Red Cross. He and his wife, Linda, will be relocating to Indianapolis as he assumes his new leadership role.
As the National FFA Foundation executive director, Cooper will work with Dr. Case, the National FFA Foundation Board of Trustees, and the 23-person National FFA Foundation staff to develop major gifts, oversee all fundraising operations and ensure proper stewardship of special project dollars. He will coordinate with National FFA Organization Chief Operating Officer Dwight Armstrong to support FFA and agricultural education initiatives. Cooper takes the reins from acting executive director Bill Fleet, who led the Foundation during a three-month interim term.
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