Rory Cooper coordinates The Heritage Foundation’s external messaging and internal communications, manages its entire digital communications and social media portfolios, and develops partnerships with new media.

As director of communications, Cooper also is responsible for all other aspects of the think tank’s Communications division – including broadcast, print and online media – in the absence of the vice president for communications.

Cooper also serves as executive editor for The Foundry, Heritage’s blog of public policy news and commentary. Among its features is Morning Bell, one of Washington’s most widely read and influential morning e-newsletters.

In June 2011, Campaigns & Elections magazine named Cooper one of 40 "Rising Stars," a prestigious honor in American politics that goes to "a select group of operatives age 35 and under who have an established track record of achievement in political consulting or advocacy and the promise to achieve greatness."

At Heritage, the publication said, Cooper "has played a key role in expanding and sharpening the think tank's use of social media and helped shape debates over policy ranging from health care reform to the economy." He was the only employee of a think tank to make the list.

Before joining Heritage in 2008 as director of strategic communications, Cooper served for more than seven years in the administration of George W. Bush, completing his service as a senior policy adviser at the Department of Energy.

Between 2001 and 2004, Cooper was an aide in the Bush White House, first as associate director of policy and plans in the newly formed Office of Homeland Security, then as associate director of intergovernmental affairs for the Homeland Security Council.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Cooper was instrumental in formation of the Department of Homeland Security and production of the first National Strategy for Homeland Security. His initial administration post was as deputy White House liaison to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.

Cooper also served at NASA as the first director of the space agency's newly created Division of Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs, following an assignment with the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission.

Before his government service, Cooper worked for the political division of the National Republican Congressional Committee and for the Republican Governors Association and two Presidential Inaugural Committees. He also participated in countless political and grassroots campaigns.

Cooper’s recent media appearances include CNN, Fox News, CNBC, Bloomberg TV and MSNBC among many others, including a weekly feature on a nationally syndicated radio show. His writing has been published by major newspapers and posted by innumerable online news sites, among them National Review Online, Daily Caller and Politico.

Cooper holds a bachelor's degree in international relations and political science from Tulane University in New Orleans, La. He originally hails from Franklin, Mich., outside Detroit.

He and his wife, Emily, currently reside in Hyattsville, Md., with their daughter, Lillian, and dog, Harold.