Alisa Cooper, Vice Chair

Alisa Cooper joined the New Jersey Casino Control Commission in August 2012 following her appointment by Governor Chris Christie.  In December 2014, she was reappointed to a full, five-year term.

Born and raised in Atlantic City and an alumna of Atlantic City High School, Cooper earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education at the University of Maryland.  Upon graduation, she returned to Atlantic City where she went on to a long career in the music and entertainment industry and owned "Alisa Cooper Orchestras" for several decades.  During her career, she played piano at the renowned "500 Club" and opened Resorts International Casino Hotel in 1978 appearing in the famous "Rendezvous Lounge."  She entertained at parties for Tony Bennett, Jerry Seinfeld, Dom DeLuise, Neil Sedaka, Wayne Newton, Smokey Robinson…as well as countless sports celebrities. With her orchestra, she donated her time to entertain at numerous benefits and fund raisers that benefitted a wide variety of charitable organizations in the greater Atlantic City area.  In 2008, Cooper was named a member of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, giving her an opportunity to promote music and the arts throughout the state.  Her lifelong passion for music also led to a long career as a music educator.

In 2005, Cooper followed in the political footsteps of her late mother – Assemblywoman Dolores Cooper – when she was elected to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and re-elected in 2008.  While a Freeholder, she chaired the Education and Schools Committee and served as a member of several committees including the Tourism, Gaming and Marketing Committee, the Commission on Women and the Local Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

Commissioner Cooper is a member of numerous professional and philanthropic organizations and has donated her time and her talent to many causes and organizations.  Over her career as a professional musician, public official and educator, she received numerous awards for her charitable activities and in 2014, Cooper was inducted into the "Atlantic County Women's Hall of Fame" for her years of contributions in the areas of public service and government.

Commissioner Cooper is a strong supporter of Atlantic City and she is keenly aware of its importance to South Jersey.  Her commitment and dedication to Atlantic County is also well-known as she sits on the board of the Community Foundation of South Jersey and is active with a number of other civic and community organizations.  Through her charitable endeavors, she has helped to raise thousands of dollars for The Community Food Bank of South Jersey and the Atlantic County Animal Shelter.

Cooper lives in Linwood with her husband Doug Little and their son, David Cooper Little, who is a student at Delaware Law School.