Family owned.
Family oriented.
“It was always important to me that Cooper Steel be a family company. We worked hard from the beginning to build it that way. When you’re with Cooper, you’re with family.” – J. Kenneth Cooper, Founder
Hard work and humble beginnings.
Cooper Steel’s foundation for success could undoubtedly be found in the Cooper family’s faith first, followed by hard work and incredible resolve to see the business flourish.
James Kenneth “Kenny” Cooper was born in 1932 in Bedford County, Tennessee. At age five, he underwent a tonsil and adenoid removal procedure meant to prevent illness, which unfortunately resulted in hearing loss and nerve damage to his ears. By age 14, Kenny had lost 85% of his hearing, and by 15, he made the decision to leave school and work on his grandfather’s farm as the increasing classroom size made it difficult for him to read his teacher’s lips and learn. But he refused to let this define him.
His love for building began early – at only seven years old, his father bought him his first erector set, sparking a lifelong passion for construction and steelwork. When he turned 16, he was able to buy his first car, enabling him to work two jobs and setting him on his path to build.
At 18, Kenny joined Florence Stove Company in Lewisburg, shaping steel plates into stove parts while keeping his weekend job. Around this time, he met the love of his life – Faye Waggoner. After six months of dating, Kenny proposed, and they married in 1952. They soon welcomed two sons: Barry (1953) and Gary (1959).
After seven years at Florence Stove Company, Kenny was laid off. His mother encouraged him to learn a trade and supported his enrollment at Nashville Auto Diesel College for welding. Upon graduating, Kenny joined UniRoyal’s machine shop.
With the financial stability of his job, he took a leap of faith, bought his first welding machine, and began taking side jobs in the evenings after his full-time shifts. By 1960, his side hustle became a full-time business called Cooper’s Welding.
Kenny earned a reputation for quality work and taught himself job estimating. As demand grew, he hired and trained workers – taking the time to make sure each one knew how to do the job. His grandfather became his first office employee in 1961, followed by Faye. Soon after, Kenny purchased his first crane, opening doors to larger projects. In 1968, Kenny began fabricating steel – a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for Cooper Steel.
His sons began working for the company in the summer months, and upon graduating from college, Gary joined the business full-time. Around this time, the company became incorporated, officially becoming Cooper Steel Fabricators, Inc. with Kenny as the Founder and President, and Faye as the Secretary, Treasurer, and Steel Purchaser.
As Kenny bid more jobs, Faye began hiring for more help. By 1983, there were four employees in the office, approximately 10 in the shop, and 20 in the field working to erect structures.
Building on a strong foundation.
Just a few years later, the family purchased a small office on North Hillcrest Drive for their growing team – the address we still call home today. As the business thrived, Cooper Steel opened its first sales office in Nashville in 1987, followed by another in Kentucky in 1990. During this time, Gary Cooper stepped into a sales role, traveling, bidding jobs, assisting in leading the company, and driving growth through new relationships and opportunities.
By 2017, demand for projects around the region grew, leading the company to expand an additional fabrication shop, Cooper Steel of Virginia in Amherst County, Virginia. Shortly after, in 2019, Cooper Steel grew once more with another fabrication shop, Cooper Steel South, in Childersburg, Alabama, providing essential support and increased capabilities.
Kenny remained involved in the company until his passing in 2023 at age 90. He was a dedicated member of his church and community programs in Shelbyville and Bedford County. He believed in continuous improvement through resilience and perseverance in everything he did – something that continues to guide our team today.
Cooper Steel is the realization of Kenny Cooper’s dream – a family business built on hard work, integrity, and quality. Today, that dream thrives under the leadership of his son, Gary Cooper, and his children: Cory, Jordan, and Sydney. Together, they carry forward Kenny’s vision of multiple generations of family working side by side to build something that lasts.
In 2025, Cooper Steel celebrated 65 years in business with the opening of an additional state-of-the-art fabrication facility in Shelbyville, Tennessee. This milestone reflects not only decades of growth but also our commitment to the future.
Looking ahead, Cooper Steel remains focused on building strong partnerships and structures that will stand for generations – continuing the dream Kenny started in 1960.
Cooper Steel Celebrates 65 Years
65 years of Cooper Steel means 65 years of stories – told by the people who helped build our legacy. Our employees have shaped our history, molded our culture, and continue to prepare us for the future. Watch our interview series for more.
Forge your future.
At Cooper Steel, we pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled opportunities and we’re always looking for individuals that shine not only as professionals, but as people, to join our growing team.
Here, you’re more than a number — you’re family and forging a future that’s Built Cooper Strong.
Give Big, Expect Little.
We believe building is about more than structures — it extends to our community, leading and giving back to our neighbors.
That’s why the saying, ‘Give Big, Expect Little,’ is one of our core values and a guiding principle for our teams who embody the spirit of finding joy in generosity each day.