Name: Barrett Cooper
Job Title/Company: Mortgage Loan Originator and Assistant Vice President of Citizens Bank
Years in position: 4 years
Years in field: 11 years
Education: I am a 2005 graduate of Columbia High School. After graduation, I continued my education at The University of Southern Mississippi, and in 2009, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Hobbies: When I have the spare time, I love reading, traveling and trying new recipes.
Spouse/Children: I have been married to Jeremy Cooper for eight years. Together we have two boys, Collier, 5, and Clower, 17 months. I also have a step-daughter, Rylee Cooper.
What do you enjoy about your job? There’s so much that I enjoy about my job, but the one thing that I really enjoy is that my job can be challenging and rewarding all at the same time.
Why did you choose this profession? I wouldn’t say that I chose this profession but more so that this profession chose me. I was originally hired as the Mortgage Loan Processor and worked in that capacity for seven years prior to becoming an Originator. During my time as the processor, I learned as much as I could about every aspect of the mortgage loan process, from start to finish. When the Originator position became available, it was an easy transition for not only me but for the Mortgage Department as well.
Who is your mentor and why? This person would be more of a life mentor rather than a business/work mentor — my late grandmother, Elizabeth Rankin Beach. I was very close with my grandmother, who passed away in 2019. She was one of my biggest mentors in life and taught me so much. She was a wise woman who was encouraging and supportive and always wanted what was best for me. I always wanted to make her happy and proud. She was such a classy, polite and humble woman but very opinionated as well. I joke and say that when I grow up, I want to be just like her.
What is best advice you ever received? Patience and persistence will ultimately payoff.
What career advice would you give future BPW women? Don’t be afraid to push yourself and to get out of your comfort zone; this is when you learn a lot about yourself. Always be willing to do what is necessary to learn more about your job and find ways that you can be better at your job to benefit those that you help.
