Iris Cooper

Iris B. Cooper serves as the Assistant Secretary for Procurement, Contracts and Grants at the NC Department of Health and Human Services. In this role, she is responsible for contracts and grants spanning the spectrum of the NCDHHS mission across the state of North Carolina. 

Cooper began her contracting career as an Air Force Copper Cap Intern both at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and Edwards Air Force Base in California. As the Director for Contracting at the Maritime Administration she supported the Ready Reserve Force and Ship Disposal Programs. She was selected to the Senior Executive Service in 2008 and served as the Executive Director for the Office of Acquisition Operations at the Department of Veterans Affairs where she managed acquisition programs valued at over $4 billion annually. Prior to her retirement from federal service in August 2018, Cooper served as the Senior Procurement Executive for the US Department of the Treasury. 

Throughout her career, Cooper has been committed to excellence in customer service, integrity and transparency in the acquisition process; the development of best value; and efficient procurement strategies. Cooper is passionate about acquisition transformation, leveraging the strengths of the entire acquisition team across functional lines and throughout the acquisition lifecycle. 

Born and raised in Germany, Cooper holds an interpreter’s license from the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University, and a master’s degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She is a Certified Professional Contract Manager, a fellow with the National Contract Management Association and a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute. Cooper is also a recipient of the Department of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award.