Stephen F. Cooper, chair

Wharton County

Stephen F. Cooper of El Campo is owner/principal of Emerald Ag Investments and TeSodCo, LTD. He is chairman of the West Wharton County Hospital District. He serves on the Texas Water Development Region P Board. Cooper earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics at Texas A&M University and is a member of the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry. He mentors students in entrepreneurship and is a member of the College of Agriculture Development Council.

Cooper is the chairman for Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Century Council, serves on the Association of Former Students Leadership Council and is an Endowed Century Club member. He is a member of the 12th Man Foundation Champions Council, an Eppright Distinguished Donor and a member of the Texas A&M Foundation Legacy Society. In 2015, he received the Texas A&M University Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M University. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him to the LCRA Board in December 2015, reappointed him in 2018, reappointed him in 2023 for a term that expires Feb. 1, 2029, and named him LCRA Board chair in April 2025.