The MAC Track
Reprinted from The Business Ledger

Brad Cooper

The Mineral Area College Alumni Association, Mineral Area College Foundation and Business Ledger are teaming up to "track" our alumni who own, operate or are employees of local businesses. We are hoping to bring you in touch with former classmates and fellow alumni who are still right here in our community.

This month we are tracking Brad Cooper, of Cooper Financial Services located in Park Hills.

Cooper Financial Services is a mortgage-based financial company which specializes in helping people who have credit issues. He prides himself in being able to help those who have bad credit to repair and assist in making plans for a successful future. He even jokingly has said "I guess you could call us the 'bad credit experts'."

How did Brad get to where he is today? He attended Mineral Area College from the fall of 1986 to the spring of 1988, and graduated with an Associates of Arts degree. While at MAC, he was a member of the MAC basketball team, and had received a scholarship to play ball. He says at that point in his life, "The basketball team was my whole universe. Coach Tim Gray was a rookie back then and we worked extremely hard. But it was a great time."

Brad went on to Columbia College in Columbia, Mo., and graduated with a degree in criminal justice in May of 1990. He worked as a police officer for the University of Missouri-Columbia Police Department for approximately four years. Then the all American entrepreneurial spirit called and he returned home to fulfill a dream of owning his own business.

Brad's success does not stop with his Alumni-owned business. He married MAC classmate Shelly (Ellis) Cooper, also a graduate of 1988, and they have two beautiful daughters, Grace and Maggie.

"MAC holds a special place in my heart," Brad says. "I made great friendships, got a super education and it was close to home. My experiences at MAC gave me a great foundation as I went on to further my education and pursue my dreams."

Brad recently rekindled his affiliation and commitment to Mineral Area College. In June, he accepted a three year volunteer position on the MAC Foundation Board.

If you are in the graduating class of 1988 or were out at MAC during that time, we are sure that Brad would love to reminisce with you about "the good old days at MAC". Stop in and see him at Cooper Financial, 401 West Main Street, Park Hills, MO.

If you are interested in more information about the MAC Alumni Association or the Foundation call Peggy Ropelle at (573) 518-2114, or Beth McFarland at (573) 518-2322.