UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Erica P. Cooper, administrative support manager in the John and Willie Leone Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Penn State, has been recognized for her service at the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) in the recently published book “The No-Fail Mission: The Men and Women Behind the Presidential Service Badge.”
Cooper served at the WHCA for five years, where she supported the Executive Office of the President of the United States, and in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years. Her responsibilities included providing secure communications worldwide to presidential airport sites, Air Force One, the president, vice president, first lady, senior White House staff, and the Secret Service.
“It was a responsibility that was both terrifying and exciting. At each event and moments before Air Force One landed there was an indescribable high and level of pride felt by all,” Cooper said. “We confidently and quietly arrived at each site, set up, seamlessly executed “game day,” tore down, and got out without anyone knowing we were there. Oftentimes we were confused with Secret Service.”
Only the elite serve under the Executive Office of the President and receive the Presidential Service Badge. The Presidential Service Badge was established in 1964 and only about 39,000 have been awarded.
“When we arrived at the WHCA, one of the first things the commander said was ‘You are the top 1% of your military branch. You are here for a reason and your mission is to provide a no-fail environment, 100% of the time,’” Cooper said.
Cooper described herself as always trying to push the professional envelope. To be the first to raise her hand and volunteer, even if she did not know what to expect. She never expected to be the subject of a book, but when the author, Anthony Knopps, reached out, she was curious where it could lead.
“He called me and said I really don't know what I want to do, but I’d like to chat with you, record our conversations, and let's see what unfolds,” Cooper said. “After sharing many transcribed recordings, I asked Anthony if I could just write my thoughts out. Anthony agreed, and upon reading it, he said, ‘This is going to be chapter one.’ Though he said it, I struggled to accept it would be until the first time I held the book in my hands.”
After months of discussions, their talk turned to one of Cooper’s most impactful experiences while at the WHCA — the Boston Marathon bombing. Cooper’s home is Massachusetts. She recalled being asked to lead the team to her hometown amid tragedy. The task of preparing a presidential visit in less than 48 hours while grieving was one of the greatest challenges of her life.
“As I was securing the communications on Air Force Once, I kept thinking how much I wanted my mum,” said Cooper. “When securing Air Force One, I would walk to the plane and under the wheel as the president was walking down the stairs off the plane. At that time, my mum called. She asked where I was, and I told her in D.C. as I didn’t want to blow my cover. I learned the camera caught me as I was passing the president, so she knew I was in Boston. Though I couldn’t get to her, hearing her voice was such a comforting moment for me.”
Cooper is one of 10 badge holders covered in the book.
On July 17, the book was formally released at the Army & Navy Club in Washington D.C., where Cooper was a guest speaker. Since then, she’s been honored by her hometown team, the Boston Red Sox, attended additional book launches, spoken at university seminars, and was invited to be honored by the Washington Nationals on Sept. 28.