Arthur R. Cooper is Senior Innovation Director for Louisiana Economic Development, where he leads economic development initiatives in partnership with Louisiana universities across life sciences, cybersecurity, carbon capture, and advanced materials. He structures contracts between LED, private companies, and universities to build targeted, industry-ready workforces.

Prior to LED, Cooper served as CEO of the LSU Research and Technology Foundation and Executive Director of the Louisiana Emerging Technology Center, where he helped commercialize faculty-developed technology, managed intellectual property assets for LSU and Southern University, and supported early-stage technology companies through access to capital, a venture capital fund, and a commercialization grant program for LSU researchers.

Earlier in his career, Cooper directed Business Retention for the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, where he drafted the Modernization Tax Credit program and the Angel Investor Tax Credit legislation. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a J.D., both from LSU.

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