ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 09, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Gerald C. Cooper with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Cooper celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
A leader in the hardware and tool industry for more than five decades, Mr. Cooper established AutoGrip Inc. in 2015, a company that offers a variety of products to clients ranging from pliers and wrenches to screwdriver sets. As a third-generation hand tool manufacturer, he has become an expert in manufacturing, procurement, as well as finance. Prior to forming his business, Mr. Cooper enjoyed a tremendous venture as the owner of Asia Tech Source between 2001 and 2014, a hand tool sourcing and engineering company that he later expanded to include an assembly and packing factory in 2007. Furthermore, he enjoyed an extensive tenure in manufacturing employed with Stanley Tools for 35 years, beginning in 1966.
Having seized upon an incredible opportunity to work for Stanley Tools, Mr. Cooper previously held positions in computer programming, accounting, finance, purchasing and manufacturing. During this time, he spent nearly two decades abroad in Taiwan, where he was responsible for setting up sales offices and factories in Singapore, Taiwan and China. Mr. Cooper found great mentorship in his boss, who was hired as the company's division controller. Recruited from General Electric, his boss often challenged his ideas and his work, bringing out the best in him and ultimately setting the tone for the rest of his career.
Among his achievements in the industry, Mr. Cooper invented a vice-grip tool that automatically grips objects regardless of their thickness, which has become increasingly popular. He later invented an entire line of similar vice-grips of all shapes and sizes, comprised of approximately 20 products that all use the same technology. Looking toward retirement, Mr. Cooper plans to soon sell his business to a North American tool manufacturer that can add his products to their product lines.
Currently involved in a number of civic and nonprofit initiatives throughout Alexandria, Virginia, Mr. Cooper is aligned with Meals on Wheels as a volunteer and, through his church, has been affiliated with Families of Inmates in Virginia. He is notably a parishioner and elder at the Old Presbyterian Meetinghouse Church. Among other noteworthy positions, he presently sits on the board of trustees for Earlham College. In this capacity, Mr. Cooper spearheads an annual eight-week internship to China.
Highly educated, Mr. Cooper obtained a Bachelor of Science in mathematics at Barlham College in 1966. He was subsequently accepted to the University of Hartford, where he completed a Master of Business Administration in 1971. Supporting his career, Mr. Cooper is a member of the Hardware Marketing Council.
About Marquis Who's Who®
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
# # #