Growing up without consistent role models, he learned firsthand the life-changing impact that one leader can have on a young person's future. That realization became the driving force behind his lifelong commitment to servant leadership, mentorship, and developing others. He believes leadership is not defined by the rank you wear or the title you hold. It is measured by the lives you influence and the people you leave better than you found them.

At 19 years old, Chance enlisted in the United States Army searching for direction and an opportunity to build a better life. That decision became the foundation of a military career spanning more than two decades of service.

He began his military career in 2001 as a 92R Parachute Rigger with the 82nd Airborne Division before earning his commission through the Army ROTC program at Coastal Carolina University. Upon graduation, Chance was recognized as the number one cadet in the Coastal Carolina University Army ROTC program and was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate, an honor reserved for the nation's top-performing ROTC cadets. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps and embarked on a career that would take him around the world, leading Soldiers in combat, humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping, and leadership development assignments.

Throughout his career, Major Cooper served in leadership positions ranging from Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer to Company Commander, Battalion Operations Officer, Battalion Executive Officer, and Assistant Professor of Military Science. His service included disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina, a combat deployment to Afghanistan, peacekeeping operations with the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai Peninsula, and a deployment to Kosovo in support of NATO operations.

One of the defining chapters of his career came while commanding Hotel Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Under his leadership, the company earned four organizational streamers and became the first and only Forward Support Company in the history of the 101st Airborne Division to receive the Gold Physical Fitness Streamer. The company's exceptional performance drew personal recognition from then Major General Andrew P. Poppas, Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). General Poppas later earned promotion to four-star general and assumed command of U.S. Army Forces Command, one of the Army's largest and most influential organizations. More importantly, Chance developed a leadership philosophy centered on building people before building organizations. He believes disciplined individuals create exceptional teams.

Following graduation from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Major Cooper served with First Army, where he trained and prepared Army National Guard and Army Reserve units for mobilization and deployment. He concluded his military career serving as the Battalion Executive Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science, mentoring and developing future Army officers while overseeing battalion operations, logistics, administration, and leader development.

Major Cooper earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Military Science from Coastal Carolina University, where he graduated as the program's top-ranked cadet. He also holds a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University and a Master of Military Art and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

His professional military education includes the Command and General Staff Officers Course, Logistics Captains Career Course, Quartermaster Basic Officer Leader Course, Combined Logistics Officer Course, Support Operations Courses I and II, Maintenance Management Course, Advanced Aerial Delivery Management Course, Instructor Course, Airborne School, and Jumpmaster School.

His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and numerous additional campaign and service awards. He is also a recipient of the Order of Saint Martin, recognizing exceptional service to the Quartermaster Corps, and the Order of Saint Maurice, awarded by the National Infantry Association for outstanding support to the Infantry.

After retiring from the United States Army, Chance dedicated himself to helping others transform their lives. His own physical transformation, combined with the leadership lessons learned over more than twenty years in uniform, inspired him to found Championship Hill, a leadership and personal development organization committed to helping men, veterans, students, and families build stronger bodies, stronger minds, stronger finances, and stronger lives through discipline, accountability, and intentional leadership.

Chance and his wife, Sandy, are middle school sweethearts and have been married for more than two decades. Together they have three children, Christian (21), Henry (17), and Mailei (15).

Today, Chance continues his mission of service by developing leaders, mentoring young people, speaking to audiences across the country, and coaching individuals who are determined to change the trajectory of their lives. Whether in a classroom, on a stage, in a gym, or through Championship Hill, he believes every person has the ability to rewrite their story.

His message is simple.

Every person has a hill they must climb. For some, that hill is physical. For others, it's financial, emotional, spiritual, or relational. No matter how steep the climb, no one was meant to climb it alone.

Chance has spent his entire life climbing hills. From foster care, to military service, from combat deployments, to personal transformation, from leading Soldiers, to mentoring future leaders. Those experiences became the foundation of Championship Hill.

Today, his mission is to help others identify their own mountain, embrace the climb, and discover what is waiting for them at the summit.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their own Championship Hill. Sometimes all they need is someone who has climbed a few mountains before them, someone willing to walk beside them, challenge them, and refuse to let them quit.

Because every hill has a champion at the top. The question is, will you make the climb?

Your past may shape you, but it never has to define you.