Thomas E. Cooper
Encyclopedia
Thomas Edward Cooper is a United States
scientist and businessman who served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition)
from 1983 to 1987.
, receiving a B.S. in 1966, an M.S. in 1968, and a Ph.D.
in 1970.
After completing his doctorate, in 1970 Cooper worked briefly as a consultant for the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, and then spent 1970 to 1975 as an associate professor of mechanical engineering
at the Naval Postgraduate School
. In 1976, he joined the professional staff of the United States House Committee on Armed Services
, working there until 1982.
On December 15, 1982, President of the United States
Ronald Reagan
nominated Cooper to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Research, Development, and Logistics). Cooper subsequently held this office until 1987, with the title of the office changing to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition)
during the course of his time in office.
Upon leaving government service in 1987, Cooper joined General Electric
as an executive. He retired as GE Aviation's head of Washington, D.C.
operations in 2008.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
scientist and businessman who served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition)
The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force is a civilian office in the United States Department of the Air Force....
from 1983 to 1987.
Biography
Thomas E. Cooper was born on May 13, 1943. He was educated at the University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, receiving a B.S. in 1966, an M.S. in 1968, and a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1970.
After completing his doctorate, in 1970 Cooper worked briefly as a consultant for the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, and then spent 1970 to 1975 as an associate professor of mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
at the Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
. In 1976, he joined the professional staff of the United States House Committee on Armed Services
United States House Committee on Armed Services
thumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
, working there until 1982.
On December 15, 1982, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
nominated Cooper to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Research, Development, and Logistics). Cooper subsequently held this office until 1987, with the title of the office changing to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition)
The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force is a civilian office in the United States Department of the Air Force....
during the course of his time in office.
Upon leaving government service in 1987, Cooper joined General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
as an executive. He retired as GE Aviation's head of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
operations in 2008.