MR. DAVE COOPER

Master Chief (SEAL) Retired

Member at Large

Mr. Cooper was born and raised in Manheim, PA.  In 1987 he earned a BS in Molecular Biology from Juniata College, and entered the military that same year specifically to become a US Navy SEAL.  During his 25-year career, Mr. Cooper spent nearly nineteen of those at the prestigious Naval Special Warfare Development Group, conducting combat operations throughout Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. From September 2009 to September 2011, Mr. Cooper served as the Command Master Chief (the senior SEAL Operator and principal advisor to the Commanding Officer) of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He is one of only fourteen SEALs to ever hold this position. During his tenure, the Naval Special Warfare Development Group successfully executed some of the most significant Special Operations missions in the history of the U.S. Military.  In a role that took him from the battlefield one minute to the interagency boardroom the next, Mr. Cooper’s influence, interpersonal skills and leadership were instrumental to the unparalleled success of this elite unit.