[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 33 (Friday, February 23, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                BLACK HISTORY MONTH--JOLI COOPER-NELSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 23, 2018

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifetime 
of professional and personal achievements of an outstanding business 
leader in the Tampa Bay community, Joli Cooper-Nelson. Ms. Cooper's 
commitment to her work and our community has truly made her a role 
model for women everywhere. That is why, in honor of Black History 
Month, I recognize her selfless dedication and honor her invaluable 
contributions to Tampa Bay.
  A native of Mobile, Alabama, Ms. Cooper attended McGill-Toolen 
Catholic High School before she began her impressive business career at 
the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a Bachelor of Business 
Administration in Finance. Ms. Cooper then earned a Master of Business 
Administration from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of 
Business, where she was honored in 2002 as Alumnae of the Year.
  After starting her professional career on Wall Street, Ms. Cooper 
transitioned into the consumer products industry as an Associate Brand 
Manager at Nestle in Los Angeles, California. During her time there, 
Ms. Cooper was influential for expanding the brand past our borders, 
including conducting business in Latin America and the United Kingdom 
and she was also responsible for boosting sales by more than 15 percent 
in areas of the company. When she moved to Tampa in 1998, Ms. Cooper 
served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Pasco Brands, at 
that time the largest private label juice beverage company in the 
United States.
  Just as she has been dedicated to her business career, Ms. Cooper has 
dedicated her time and resources to make a difference in the lives of 
children in the Tampa Bay community. She has served on several non-
profit boards including the United Way of Tampa Bay; The Greater Tampa 
Chamber of Commerce; Junior Achievement and The Children's Home. 
Currently, she serves as a member on the board of trustees of the Jack 
and Jill of America Foundation, the organization's philanthropic arm 
and the Academy Prep Center of Tampa. The Academy Prep Center of Tampa 
is a tuition-free, independent school for middle-school aged children 
who qualify for need-based scholarships. Additionally, she is a member 
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she has certainly embodied 
their mission of, ``Service to All Mankind''.
  Now, Ms. Cooper serves as the 25th National President of the premier 
organization for African-American families, Jack and Jill of America, 
Inc. As a member of the Greater Tampa Chapter in the Southeastern 
Region, she previously served as the National Vice President, Regional 
Director, Regional Secretary-Treasurer and two-term Regional Program 
Chair.
  In addition to being awarded the Wharton Alumnae of the Year, an 
award that recognizes distinguished Wharton alumnae who have 
demonstrated professional success and who serve as role models for 
women in business, Ms. Cooper has earned The Network Journal's 25 
Influential Black Women in Business Award, and was featured in the 
publication, Beverage Industry and Working Mother.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am proud to 
recognize Joli Cooper-Nelson for her outstanding success in her 
business endeavors encouraging supportive environments for women in 
business, and her dedication to serving all of our children throughout 
the years. Ms. Cooper's hard work should be an inspiration to us all, 
and it is my honor to recognize her during this Black History month.