Bruce Markgren, P.E., is President of Cooper Engineering Company, Inc. leading the direction of the consulting civil and environmental engineering company.  His strengths lie in guiding clients through appropriate development alternatives and providing comprehensive solutions for many site plans.  

 

Bruce first joined Cooper in 1985 as project engineer at Cooper’s satellite office in Medford.  He introduced construction materials testing to the company and worked primarily on wastewater construction and design projects.  He moved to Rice Lake when Cooper moved that office to Marshfield 18 months later, and started a product engineering department for a local manufacturer.  Bruce returned to Cooper in early 1989 as a project engineer/manager.  Bruce was appointed to the company’s board and elected its secretary in 1991 and vice president in 1992. 

 

Bruce became president of Cooper Engineering in August 1997 and serves as board chairman and principal client contact and manager for many of the company’s major projects.  Bruce is also a board member and vice president of Cooper’s sister company Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. in Ladysmith.  Bruce’s projects have encompassed nearly all of the company’s service areas including rail and airport transportation; industrial facilities; municipal streets and utilities; wastewater treatment; water supply; residential developments; retail, office, education and healthcare commercial facilities; fish hatcheries; urban planning; and mining.  

 

Bruce is a registered professional engineer in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Michigan, and received his Bachelors of Agricultural Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  He presently serves as president of the Rice Lake Economic Development Corporation and treasurer of the Barron County Economic Development Corporation Board.  He is a past president of the Bethany Lutheran Church Council and the Rice Lake Rotary Club. 

 

Outside of work, Bruce enjoys playing tuba in a local brass quintet, coaching youth hockey, participating in many of the traditional Northern Wisconsin outdoor sporting activities, spoiling his grandkids and traveling with his wife, Wendy.  All three of their children have pursued careers in different branches of engineering.