Stephen F. Cooper of El Campo is now chairman of the Lower Colorado River Authority board, officially sworn in Monday by Wharton County Judge Phillip Spenrath. Cooper, a local leader since ’15 on the board, also heads the West Wharton County Hospital District and runs local businesses. He pledged to protect water and electricity resources amid rapid growth in Wharton County and the region. The LCRA manages the Colorado River and supplies water and power to over 1.4 million people in Central Texas, including Wharton County residents.