Jennifer Cooper to be honored at SBA Small Business Week awards luncheon

Jennifer Cooper, owner of Cooper Sign Co. and Old Glory Flag and Banner of Niagara Falls, was selected by the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners as recipient of the chapter's Member of the Year Small Business Award. NAWBO Buffalo Niagara chose Cooper for her entrepreneurial drive and leadership within the organization, as well as the greater community.

Carl John Cooper established Cooper Sign Co. in 1922 in Niagara Falls. At the time, the company focused on showcards for theaters throughout the Buffalo/Niagara region. As the company grew under the direction of Carl and eventually his sons, Wayne and Harold, so did the range of signage work produced. Cooper Sign Co. was responsible for many signs in Niagara Region that eventually became landmarks, including the pink elephant sign on Pine Avenue, Page's Whistle Pig sign on Military Road, and MacLeod's LaSalle Pharmacy sign.

In 1987, the reins of the now third-generation family-business passed to John and Jennifer Cooper, now operating as a state-certified woman-owned business enterprise. 

Jennifer has served on the chapter's board of directors and is very active in the community. She is past board member and past president of the Town of Niagara Business & Professional Association, a founding member of the Niagara Electric Lights Parade committee, and was the 2007 Business Person of the Year presented by the Town of Niagara Business & Professional Association. She was honored with the Business of the Year award by the Niagara USA Chamber in 2003 and received the Key for Women Achievement Award from KeyBank in 2009.

Jennifer is a member of the UB Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Class of 2012, a member of Niagara Military Affairs Council supporting the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base, and the 914th Family Support Group, supporting families of those who serve this country at the Niagara Falls Air Base.

The award will be presented to Cooper Wednesday, May 7, at the SBA Small Business Week awards luncheon at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.