WASHINGTON — The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory selects Jay L. Cooper as Associate Director of Research for Business Operations, responsible for providing executive management, policy development, and program administration necessary to support the activities of the scientific directorates.
"I am excited to be part of such a talented team of professionals whose mission it is to deliver advanced science and technology to our warfighters,” said Cooper. “I will steadfastly work in support of our directorates to bring their efforts to the Navy and Marine Corps in an efficient and effective manner."
Formerly the comptroller for the Office of Naval Research, Cooper received appointment to the Senior Executive Service, April 2010, and brings to NRL 29 years of federal service with the addition of seven years of service as a contractor in support of Navy fast attack submarines. While on deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan (November 2017 to November 2018), Cooper served as the resource manager for the NATO Resolute Support Mission. He and his staff of 150-plus personnel conducted Train/Advise/Assist support to four cabinet level offices of the Afghan government, responsible for Police and Army Security Forces.
Prior to ONR, from March 2010 to March 2016, Cooper served as director, Civilian Resources and Business Affairs in the Navy comptroller’s office (Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller [FMB-4]) where he was responsible for reviewing, recommending and revising financial estimates for the Navy Working Capital Fund, civilian personnel, information technology, and contractor services -- equivalent to the oversight of nearly $57 billion and over 200,000 civilian personnel.
From September 2000 to April 2010, Cooper served as comptroller, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific (NAVFAC Pacific) where he was responsible for management and execution of appropriated and Navy working capital funds in excess of $650 million per year covering over 4,000 employees. Span of control extended from Hawaii to Japan, Thailand, Diego Garcia, Singapore, Korea, the Philippines and Guam. He has also held comptroller positions with several other Navy shore installations, specifically Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba, and Naval Training Center Orlando, Florida.
Cooper has a Bachelor of Science in public administration from George Mason University and is a recipient of the NATO non-Article 5 medal and the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award for service in support of NATO Operation Resolute Support. In addition, Cooper has three Meritorious Civilian Service Awards, one of which resulted from 12 months of service in Al Anbar Province, Iraq as part of the Department of State’s embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team initiative during 2007 to 2008. Cooper holds a Level 3 Department of Defense Financial Management Certification and is a prior American Society of Military Comptrollers member, Certified Defense Financial Manager, and Certified Government Financial Manager.