Cooney Brothers Honors the Upcoming Retirement of VP Bill Cooney After 49 Years of Leadership
A Tribute to Bill Cooney's Lasting Impact on Our Community
Cooney Brothers recently hosted a little celebration to honor the upcoming retirement of our very own Vice President and Head of Inside Sales, Bill Cooney!
Current and past employees, family, and some of our long-time vendor partners gathered to appreciate his remarkable 49-year legacy. During the celebration, guests also sign a memory book filled with pictures of all the people and moments that defined his career.
“I’ll miss all the helpful people at Cooney Brothers; the hard work, and all the fun we’ve had working together," Bill shared with pride. "I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by so many great people over the years. Some have moved on, some retired, some passed away but many more are still here and holding up the fort. I’ll also miss all my customer and vendor friends, as we’ve worked together and helped each other over the years. It’s been an incredible journey.”
From the Warehouse to the Weld Shop to Leadership
Bill Cooney began his journey with Cooney Brothers in 1976, starting in the warehouse where he checked inventory, loaded trucks, and learned the fundamentals of the PVF industry. The warehouse not only gave him his first experiences working on a hands-on team, but it also helped him build a strong foundation of product and application knowledge that would later prove invaluable in his customer-facing and manufacturer-facing leadership role.
A few years into his time with the company, a World War II veteran who also worked in the warehouse took Bill under his wing and taught him how to weld. This was a turning point in Bill's career. He quickly mastered the craft, becoming highly skilled in fabricating Cooney Brothers' signature products like flexible metal hose assemblies, spool pieces, manifolds, and other custom-welded assemblies. Over the decades, Bill became known as an artist with a torch and mentored several welders.
A Leader, His Defining Moments, and a Lasting Legacy
Known for his ability to expertly solve problems and connect with people, Bill has built long-lasting relationships with customers, manufacturers, and colleagues — relationships that became the cornerstone of Cooney Brothers’ reputation for trust and service.
Bill’s brother, Cooney Brothers President Gerry Cooney, fondly recalled how both of their careers started in the warehouse learning products and industry skills, and how their similar journeys with the company shaped the leadership styles they later developed side by side. He described how his brother became such a tremendous asset and resource to the company through his vast PVF expertise and his ability to “work so closely with the maintenance supervisors, pipefitters, project managers, and mechanics, who have to overcome challenges every day in order to get the job done.”
One moment in particular stands out as his favorite memory: Labor Day weekend of 1996, when the company moved from North Philadelphia to its current home in Plymouth Meeting. It was a milestone that perfectly captured the teamwork and collaboration that he valued so greatly throughout his career. Over the course of three long days, employees from every department worked side-by-side to stage, load, and haul inventory and equipment, making the transition possible as one team.
Beyond the Office
In addition to his leadership within Cooney Brothers, Bill's positive influence extended far beyond the office walls. As a nine-time Ironman triathlete, he inspired the company’s Team Cooney cycling tradition, which has continued for more than 20 years and raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. His passion for physical wellness and giving back have become lasting elements of Cooney Brothers' culture.
Inside Sales Leadership Transition and Looking Forward
Since Bill has moved into working part-time, he is preparing to pass the torch to Matt Long who has already stepped into the Inside Sales Manager role. He is still transitioning into Bill’s role, and as he fully steps into that responsibility, he plans to lead the Inside Sales team with the values Bill embodied and that continue to shape Cooney Brothers’ success.
As he enters retirement, Bill is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, biking, enjoying the outdoors, and staying active in the community he loves.
A Career to Remember
Bill’s nearly five decades of dedication place him among the most tenured employees in Cooney Brothers’ 88-year history. His legacy of leadership through kindness, collaboration, and commitment will live on within Cooney Brothers, inspiring our community for years to come.
Congratulations Bill on such an incredible 49-year career with Cooney Brothers!
Find this story as a feature on PHC Pros website here!
You can also keep an eye out for it in this week's PVF Newsletter as well as in January's edition of the The Wholesaler and PHC News magazines!