Areas of Expertise - Employment History: 

In 1949 he joined Wells Fargo Bank and was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 1966. Mr. Cooley retired from Wells Fargo in 1982 and joined Seafirst Corporation in 1983 as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He retired as Chairman of Seafirst at the end of 1990 and served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Seafirst Board from 1991 - April, 1994.

Following his retirement from Seafirst Bank, he taught various MBA and EMBA courses on Corporate Governance at University of Washington’s Business School and Seattle University’s Albers School of Business and Economics.

Education - Personal History: 

Richard P. Cooley received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Yale University in 1944 and served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.

Civic Organization Memberships or Professional Affiliations: 

Mr. Cooley actively participates in civic, educational and professional organizations. He has served on many company boards including United Airlines, Burlington Northern Railroad, PACCAR, The Ackerley Group, Egghead and the RAND Graduate School Board of Governors. He is a Life Trustee of California Institute of Technology, and is Trustee Emeritus for Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Symphony Foundation.

New Mentor Fall 2007
Will mentor graduate students