Eddie L. Pitt

Eddie Pitt-President/Chief Executive Officer

A native of Princeville, NC, Pitt’s 30-year career spans everything from selling cemetery plots to managing national sales teams to executive-level positions with companies like Cornerstone and

Service Corp. International. When not working on how to make things work better at Cooper, Eddie enjoys road trips with wife Kim, spending time with family in NC, or fishing on his boat on one of the inland lakes near his home in suburban Chicago.

Kim Cooper-Pitt/Chief Financial Officer

Cooper Professionals, LLC. Chief Operating Officer  A native of Elgin, Illinois, currently living in Yorkville, Illinois together with her husband, Eddie Pitt.  She has 4 boys, 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren, dog, and a cat.  She enjoys gardening, organization, reading and traveling. Kim’s true passion is spending time with her family.  Education, Training & Affiliations Graduated from Larkin High School, Elgin, Illinois; Elgin Community College Elgin, Illinois - Associates of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies (ABA approved); Judson University, Elgin, Illinois - Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management & Leadership; Current Member of the Kane County Bar Association; ...

Bryce D. Word- Vice-President/Marketing & Sales

A native of Indiana, I was exposed to the funeral industry at an early age. “My father was a United Methodist pastor in 3 communities during his tenure in ministry and in all 3 areas the funeral directors had exemplary relations with him and our congregations.  In some cases, they served as role models when I was young.”  During the summer months I was able to serve as an Assistant Funeral Director at W. A. Gaines Funeral Home in Evansville, Indiana while in college.  Though I went into other fields, the funeral industry and experiences has stayed with me and I've admired the business from afar until being offered a position at Cooper Professionals.  “The industry has expanded and changed since my time as an assistant.  I hope to assist Cooper’s as it brings new thought, innovation and a rejuvenation to funeral service in the 21st century.” 

Melisha Porter VP Funeral Service Division

Malisha Porter a devoted wife, a mother, Veteran and a goal driven entrepreneur; a Chicago Native with a heart of service to the community. I have served in the healthcare industry more than ten years in the various areas as followed; Certified nursing assistant, Emergency medical technician, Acute and Chronic hemodialysis technician.

Furthermore, after receiving my Illinois Funeral Director and Embalmer license in 2016. I embarked upon a new journey as an independent contractor. I was able to utilize my interpersonal, professional, and readiness skills learned during my tenure in the healthcare industry and applied it to the needs of families that call upon my service. My mission has always been to be of service to the community. With the various positions I have held, the title of Mortician has been a great honor to hold. Granting me the opportunity to help serve individuals with support and compassion.

Chuck Ferris

Chuck joined the Commander Initiative in May of 2020 by introducing Eternity’s Touch, the exclusive supplier for personalized keepsakes, to the group. In his short tenure with the Commander Initiative, Chuck has brought several high quality vendors that all share the common goal of providing the highest quality of products and services to the funeral profession at affordable prices to the member funeral homes. His business acumen will allow him to have those conversations with fellow professionals and vendors to determine best practices for reaching members with valuable funeral business information and to help fellow Advisory Board members identify and articulate trends that will shape this profession.