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Legends of Diving Articles |
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Keith Cooper
Diver and
Ecological Conservationist
Keith G. Cooper a native of the Bahamas is currently
serving as Director of Sales & Marketing for the International
Underwater Explorers Society
(UNEXSO) on Grand Bahama Island. Mr. Cooper is a 28 year
veteran of the hospitality industry and an avid scuba diver,
ecological conservationist, and sport fisherman.
A former resident of Florida, Mr. Cooper served in the U.S.
Army as an enlisted soldier and the U.S Air Force Reserve as
an airman. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the
military he quickly secured a position at one of the largest
travel companies in the U.S. " Liberty Travel/GOGO Worldwide
Vacations. Having traveled extensively to Asia, Europe,
North and Central America and a number of Caribbean islands
Mr. Cooper's love for the ocean perked |

Keith G. Cooper |
his interest in scuba diving and quickly earned his dive
certifications up to Rescue Diver level in 1986.
Mr. Cooper has secured his place in the history of Grand Bahama
scuba diving by securing two notable events for the first time
ever held in the Islands of The Bahamas. The International
Legends of Diving (ILD) led by Jeff R. Rice and headquartered in
Bowling Green, Ohio is an event honoring scuba diving pioneers
who contributed to the sport and The National Association of
Black Scuba Divers (NABS) founded by Fulbright Scholar Dr. A.
Jose Jones. Each of these organizations hosted more than 120
scuba divers and their guests " The ILD was held April 2009 and
the NABS event in November 2009.
Prior to joining UNEXSO, Mr. Cooper held sales and marketing
positions at several leading luxury properties in the Bahamas as
well as Palm Beach and Orlando, Florida handling corporate,
group and leisure market segments for the Historic Gulfstream
Hotel, Adams" Mark Hotel and Sheraton World Resort & Spa. He
pioneered and created "Island Hoppers Bahamas" that launched the
first island hopping vacation program in the Islands of The
Bahamas. Mr. Cooper's hotel experience also includes director of
resort sales at Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour " West
End, Grand Bahama; general manager at the Fortune Place Resort
in Kissimmee, Florida; sales and management positions at Lib/GO
Travel, Alamo Rent-A-Car, and staff analysis and training
positions at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida.
One of Mr. Coopers" passions is eco-conservation and has worked
with residents of West End and U.S. based environmental
organizations to provide educational outreach programs for the
community and school age children. Another program that Mr.
Cooper started is the West End Youth Entrepreneur Leadership
Program. This program primary focus is on the personal
development of the youth as they mature through adolescence. The
youth also started a Lap Top Donation Program to aide them in
the use of their schoolwork and to become proficient users of
computers before they enter college or workforce. Both U.S.
companies and Grand Bahama business community support the
program by recycling used lap tops and personal computers that
are donated to the organization.
Mr. Cooper is an active member of the community assisting the
West End Police Department " "Neighborhood Kids Fishing Camp" as
a mentor working with children to teach them basic swimming and
fishing techniques while instilling important disciplines of
respect and self esteem. He serves on the West Grand Bahama
Tourism Committee which was created by the Bahamas Ministry of
Tourism to spur on tourism related business programs within the
local villages and settlements in the area. He is a graduate of
Northwood University, West Palm Beach, Florida. Cooper was a
2005 finalist in the prestigious CACIQUE Tourism Awards held
annually in the Bahamas. Currently, Mr. Cooper along with his
wife Linda and their pets "Tona" a "potcake" dog and a Himalayan
cat Aristotle "Arie" reside in West End, Grand Bahama Island.
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