Chester Cooper
{{Short description|Bahamian politician (born 1970)}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Chester Cooper
| image = Chester Cooper.png
| caption =
| order =
| office = Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas
| primeminister = Philip Davis
| term_start = 17 September 2021
| term_end =
| predecessor = Desmond Bannister
| successor =
| office1 = Minister of Tourism and Aviation
| term_start1 = 17 September 2021
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = Dionisio D'Aguilar
| successor1 =
| office2 = Member of Parliament
for The Exumas and Ragged Island
| term_start2 = 2017
| term_end2 =
| predecessor2 = Anthony Moss
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|07|29|df=y}}{{cn|date=May 2024}}
| birth_place = Forbes Hill, Exuma, The Bahamas
| party =
| spouse = Cecelia Cooper
| children = 3
| alma_mater = Acadia University
Nova Southeastern University
Harvard University
| occupation =
| website =
}}
Isaac Chester Cooper (born 29 July 1970){{cn|date=May 2024}} is a Bahamian Progressive Liberal Party politician serving as Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas to Philip Davis and Minister of Tourism and Aviation since September 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bahamas.com/press/Deputy-Prime-Minister-Hon-I-Chester-Cooper|title=The Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. I. Chester Cooper|website=Bahamas|accessdate=24 September 2021}} He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for The Exumas and Ragged Island since 2017.
Early life
Cooper was born and raised in Forbes Hill, Little Exuma, the youngest of 12 children to the Reverends Eulon and Louise Cooper. His father passed away when he was 5.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bahamaslocal.com/newsitem/164458/Acceptance_Remarks_by_Chester_Cooper_on_His_Ratification_as_the_PLP_Candidate_for_Exuma_and_Ragged_Island.html|title=Acceptance Remarks by Chester Cooper on His Ratification as the PLP Candidate for Exuma and Ragged Island|website=Bahamas Local|date=18 November 2016|accessdate=24 September 2021}} He graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from Nova Southeastern University in 1995.
Career
Before going into politics, Cooper worked in finance. He became the Chairman and CEO of BAF Global Group and President and CEO of BAF Financial & Insurance Ltd.
In November 2016, Cooper was ratified as the PLP candidate for The Exumas and Ragged Island in the 2017 general election. He was one of four PLP candidates to win or retain their seat that election. Whilst in Opposition, he became Deputy Leader of the PLP to Leader Philip Davis. As the PLP won the 2021 general election, it was confirmed Cooper would remain in his post and was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister. He was also appointed Minister of Tourism, Investment, and Aviation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribune242.com/news/2021/sep/18/pm-receives-instrument-appointment-deputy-pm-chest/|title=Pm Receives Instrument Of Appointment, Deputy Pm Chester Cooper Named Minister Of Tourism, Investment And Aviation|journal=Tribune|date=18 September 2021|accessdate=24 September 2021}}
Personal life
He is married to Cecillia; they have three children. He selects a charity a year to donate his MP salary to.{{Cite web|url=https://writeups24.com/cooper-grants-salary-to-forbes-hill-cultural-center/|title=Cooper grants salary to Forbes Hill Cultural Center|journal=Writeups 24|date=7 April 2021|accessdate=24 September 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://plpbahamas.org/ichestercooper/ PLP profile]
{{Current Members of the Bahamas House of Assembly}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Chester}}
Category:Deputy prime ministers of the Bahamas
Category:Members of the House of Assembly of the Bahamas
Category:Nova Southeastern University alumni
Category:Progressive Liberal Party politicians