PRESIDENT (2007) Jim Cooper, Rotonda West
A resident of Rotonda West, Jim recently retired after more than 15 years, as the charter CEO/Executive Director of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority.
His education includes an MA in Human Relations and MBA in Business. He is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Placida, served 7 years on the Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Preservation Board, 6 yrs with the Sarasota County Myakka River Protections & Oversight Board, 2 years with the Placida Area Planning Board & Vision Group, 4 years on the County’s Boca Grande Area Planning Board, served 3 times on the Charlotte County Assembly. He is a past President of West County Republicans and currently President of Protect our Watersheds.
Jim retired in June 1993 from the US Air Force with the rank of Colonel. When he retired, he was the Base Commander at Mt. Home AFB in Idaho and the pentagon’s leader conducting an on-time requisite NEPA Environmental Impact Statement which successfully enabled the Air Force to bring a new mission to Idaho, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, combining precision strike fighter and bomber aircraft at one base entitled the 366th Gunfighters Composite Wing. Jim was the Chair of the LBC 2006 and 2007 Annual Toast to the Coast fundraisers.