Christopher Cooper

Background

About Christopher Cooper

I am a family man first, someone who values hard work, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges. Born and raised in Los Angeles, I developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors, saltwater fishing, and competitive sports. That same drive once earned me All-Area, All-CIF, and All-State honors in football, even after overcoming six knee surgeries—resilience that continues to define my personal and professional journey.I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where I built a foundation in business strategy, leadership, and operations. My career began in hospitality, where I rose from bartender to Assistant General Manager at Jimmy Buffett’s in Honolulu, gaining expertise in contracts, HR, budgeting, and vendor management. I later founded a legal services business and earned my Juris Doctorate from Pacific Coast University School of Law. At the Law Offices of Steven J. Cooper, I advanced to Director of Practice Support, overseeing compliance, HR, contracts, and firm operations.I recently transitioned into the maritime and logistics industry, accepting the role of Maintenance & Repair (M&R) Manager at Yusen Terminals in the Port of Los Angeles—the largest port in the U.S. and gateway for over 60% of imported goods. In this role, I Lead preventive and corrective maintenance for gantry cranes, UTRs, container handlers, and refrigerated equipment.Manage a skilled union workforce through PCMC, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations in a 24/7 port environment.Oversee multi-million-dollar budgets, negotiate vendor contracts, and coordinate with third-party providers.Drive safety initiatives, regulatory compliance, and adoption of sustainable technologies to improve performance and reduce downtime.My background blends legal expertise, contract negotiation, HR management, and operational leadership. I thrive on solving complex challenges, building efficient systems, and leading diverse teams to keep the supply chain moving. Always open to connecting, I bring a proven ability to manage people, processes, and compliance in industries where precision and reliability are critical.