Paul Cooney
Posted by Love Hope Strength on May 13, 2008
Paul was born and raised in the small town of Pleasantville, NY with his parents, Joan and Bob and his sisters Michelle and Laura. Paul attended the University of Richmond, where he ran track and field, was active in Phi Gamma Delta, and was named “Fun Man of the Year 1998-99”. “It’s true, I have a plaque on my wall at home actually” says Paul.
Not a fan of staying in once place too long, Paul has lived in Ireland (Galway), Boston, then decided to leave the cold winters behind and moved to the beach in Southern California. “My claim to fame is that I can sunburn faster than anyone else in So Cal” says Paul. He now lives with his wife Jana in Redondo Beach, CA.
Paul is 31 and after 7 years at AT&T managing the Los Angeles business sales team, has just started his own company. Paul is founder and President of Shamrock Consulting Group, a telecommunications and IT consulting firm based in Manhattan Beach, CA. He is having a great time and quick success with his new business.
Paul has lost several family members to cancer in the past few years, including his aunt to breast cancer and his grandfather and uncle to skin cancer. He also lost his best friend Sean to leukemia when he was in first grade, and this is something that he has never forgotten. In college another great friend Joe successfully battled an aggressive form of leukemia, and is a 13 year leukemia survivor. Paul is dedicating this trek to the memory of his lost friends and family and to Joe, who is the most positive (and fun!) person I have ever met and is a living embodiment of “’Love Hope Strength’” says Paul.
He heard about Peru Rocks from Mike Peters at several of his acoustic shows in California, and was inspired to join the fight for cancer. Paul remarks “This is raising money for an excellent cause, while having a once in a lifetime adventure with an amazing group of people. What I like is that I know the funds will go to the right place and have a chance to make a difference. Being able to hear Mike and the other musicians play on this trip is an experience that I will cherish forever. I am just floored that I can experience this once in a lifetime adventure while raising money for a tremendous cause.”
An avid adventurer, Paul enjoys traveling the globe, hiking the mountains of Southern California, running on the strand at the beach, biking, and a cold beer(s) with friends.
