By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Brent Cooper was the featured speaker at the September Covington Business Council luncheon at the Madison Event Center in Covington.
Covington Business Council President Pat Frew prepares to welcome NKY Chamber of Commerce President Brent Cooper (seated in front of podium). Cooper said the Chamber will achieve its mission through a focus on leadership, making connections and advocacy (photos by Mark Hansel).
In his first public remarks since becoming president and CEO, Cooper said he was “blown” away” and “humbled” for the opportunity to lead the organization. He added that it was also fitting that it took place in front of the CBC membership in Northern Kentucky’s largest city.
“I believe in Covington. For those that don’t know me, I have two-thirds of my network at Fifth and Madison,” Cooper said. “Covington is the next OTR, but better. We’ve got all of the amenities right here.”
Cooper, 47, has led Covington-based C-Forward Information Technologies since he founded the company 18 years ago. He will maintain ownership in the company but has turned over day-to-day operations to his management team.
Cooper said his experience running his own company is a tremendous asset and helps him relate to the organization’s members.
“The majority of our companies in the Chamber membership are small businesses and I think that’s why, in part, I was selected for this role, because I’m also a small business owner,” he said.
Cooper talked about how, in 1969, the various county chambers of commerce came together to form the organization he now leads.
“They recognized that we are 37 cities in three counties and we’re better when we’re together,” Cooper said. “That’s why we have a chamber of commerce, to keep us all rowing in the same direction.”
Cooper plans an extensive outreach campaign in the coming months to talk about how Northern Kentuckian can collaborate on projects.
“I will be going out to Bellevue, to Dayton, I’ll be going to city council meetings, I’m going to Rotary meetings,” Cooper said. “That’s part of why I am doing this in the first place, I’m so passionate about the region and where we can go together.”
Cooper was named interim Chamber president when Trey Grayson stepped down in late May and was selected for the permanent position August 23.
Cooper served as Chamber chair in 2011-12 and also as interim president of the organization when Steve Stevens resigned as president in 2014.
A full house packed the Madison Event Center to hear NKY Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brent Cooper’s first public remarks since assuming the role late last month. Cooper was the featured speaker at the Covington Business Council’s monthly luncheon.
He reminded members of the CBC audience of the Chamber’s mission to promote and support the development of strong businesses and a vibrant economy in the Northern Kentucky region, through leadership and advocacy, resulting in a better quality of life for all.
When he took over as Chamber president, Cooper said he wrote three words on the wall of his office – lead, connect, and advocate – that he believes will help the organization promote that mission.
He talked first about the impact of Leadership Northern Kentucky, which has more than 1,300 graduates from 39 classes and has organized such events as Latonia’s Unlock the Block this year and the River Cities Relay in 2016.
He also touted the Women’s Initiative, the Regional Youth Leadership, and the Legacy young professionals group.
The Chamber connects individuals and businesses through a variety of networking events forums and initiatives, including the ezone, which has now become the Northern Kentucky Innovation effort.
The Kentucky Innovation Network @ NKY has been leading the way for startups and small businesses in Northern Kentucky since 2001.
“One of those companies, Tier One, started with five employees in 2005,” Cooper said. “Today they are in Rivercenter with over 200 employees, with an average salary of between $75,000 and $80,000 a year.”
The Network office serves 11 counties in Northern Kentucky and is one of 12 offices operating across the state.
Cooper talked about the Chamber’s effort in the economic development community and the opportunity to be a part of the region’s growth. He said it was a privilege for the organization to have a seat at the table for announcements such as the $1.49 billion Amazon Prime project and the decision of WOW Air, Iceland’s low-cost transatlantic airline, to begin flight service from CVG.
“Sometimes it’s small and sometimes it’s big but the Chamber is ever present,” Cooper said. “We’re one of those entities that brings everybody together.”
Eggs ‘N Issues, is a staple on the Chamber’s meeting schedule. The monthly forum brings community leaders together to discuss issues of regional importance and provides a prime networking opportunity for members and guests.
Cooper announced at the meeting that there will soon be an afternoon counterpart for people who can’t make the early morning “Eggs” meetings.
“There are folks that cannot get to Eggs ‘N Issues, young professionals who have kids, (and others),” Cooper said. “We came up with this Eggs After Hours, same format, we just do it from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and we came up with the name Pints ‘N Policies. Who doesn’t want to have a drink right after work and then go home?”
Bob Graeter, has also agreed to provide Graeter’s Ice Cream, a different kind of pint, so guests have a choice.
A date has not been announced, but the first Pints and Policies will take place at Hotel Covington. It will include athletic directors, Ken Bothof of Northern Kentucky University, Terry Connor of Thomas More College and Mike Bohn, of the University of Cincinnati.
“They are going to be talking about the impact that college athletics has on our economy,” Cooper said. “We’re going to have different kinds of conversations at these meetings to talk about how we can work regionally together.”
Advocacy can be challenging to any organization with a diverse membership and the Chamber is no exception. Cooper said determining how and when to advocate involves a complicated process during which not everyone always agrees.
“We build consensus, that’s what we do and we try to solve problems,” Cooper said. “We don’t come at people with just a problem, we come at them with a solution. We use our programming to promote our advocacy efforts.”
Going forward, the Chamber plans to utilize platforms such as legislative breakfasts to bring in guests from across the state, and the nation, to talk about how it can move its agenda forward.
Measures the Chamber supports that have received recent approval from the General Assembly include prevailing wage and outcomes-based funding.
The Chamber has also advocated for removal of the reformulated gas requirement , which is nearing approval and is projected to save Northern Kentucky motorists 22 cents a gallon at the pumps.
The Chamber’s biggest networking event of the year, its Annual Dinner Presented by Fifth Third Bank, takes place Thursday at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.
“We’re going to have 1,000 of your closest Friends there,” Cooper said.”
For more information on the annual dinner, click here
The monthly Covington Business Council Luncheon provides opportunities for members to interact with each other, as well elected officials and community leaders. Luncheons generally include a presentation on a topic of local interest to the community and take place at the Madison Event Center in Covington.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
