
Brian Cooper
STI/SPFA recently spoke with Brian Cooper, Vice President of Business Development for Maguire, about his career in the steel fabrication industry.
STI/SPFA: Tell us about the history of your company.
Brian Cooper: The Maguire story begins in 1915 with Ed Maguire, who began his journey traveling from town to town in the upper Midwest with his paintbrush, his work ethic, and his courage to provide what we will simply describe as a “challenging” service to local communities. This was the humble origin of Maguire (formerly Maguire Iron).
From these humble beginnings, Maguire has grown into an industry leader in the design, engineering, fabrication, construction, and maintenance of water storage tanks and towers in 34 states across the country. Our vision is to help our customers store and protect quality water.
STI/SPFA: How did you get your start in the industry?
Cooper: I began my journey in the water industry eight years ago when I was hired by Maguire as the Director of Marketing to help the organization expand into new territories and add value to the services we provide to our customers.
STI/SPFA: What do you like best about working in the industry?
Cooper: My favorite part about working in the water industry is helping customers store and protect quality water. Every time you turn on your faucet to get a drink of water, you can be confident your water is safe.
STI/SPFA: What’s been your favorite or most memorable moment of your career so far?
Cooper: The most memorable moment in my career in the water industry is being on the Maguire team at Maguire which planned, designed, and built a new campus in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that includes a state-of-the-art fabrication facility with the latest equipment from around the world.

New Maguire Fabrication Facility
STI/SPFA: What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the industry?
Cooper: Working in the water industry is a noble profession. Clean, safe water is the most important element of life and one we take for granted every day. When you get a drink out of the faucet, take a shower, or flush a toilet, there are educated and dedicated water professionals who ensure these critical services are delivered reliably.
It is a great industry with great people. If you want to work in an industry that makes a difference in people’s lives every day, this industry does.
STI/SPFA: What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the industry in the next three to five years?
Cooper: Aging infrastructure will continue to be the largest challenge facing the water industry in the foreseeable future. Balancing growth along with planning for long-term maintenance of water infrastructure will be key to ensure communities have a clean and dependable source of water.
STI/SPFA: How has STI/SPFA Membership helped you and your company succeed and grow in today’s marketplace?
Cooper: STI/SPFA has provided Maguire opportunities to network and reach customers across the country. They also provide great educational content which is essential for the industry. We appreciate everything they do for members like Maguire.