Joe R. Cooper

BBA '79 (Accounting), MBA '82, Sigma Phi Epsilon

Bonita Springs, Florida

Joe Cooper recently retired from his role as CFO of Essex Technology Group based in Nashville, Tennessee.  Prior to joining Essex, Joe served as the President of Big Lots Canada and Executive Vice President of Big Lots, Inc. Before his role in Canada, Joe served as the CFO of Big Lots, Inc.  His career also included positions with The Limited, Inc. and KPMG Peat Marwick.

In April 2016, Cooper was inducted, as a member of the inaugural class, into the Stetson University Accounting Hall of Fame. He served on Stetson’s Business School Board of Advisors and was elected to the Board of Trustees in May 2011.  Cooper served as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2017-2020.  He also served as Chair of the Presidential Search Committee in 2020.  The search resulted in Dr. Chris Roellke being named the tenth President of Stetson University.

Cooper and his wife, Cindi Tidwell Cooper BBA '82, have four grown children and two grandchildren.