Specialists

Brian’s life has revolved around the Alex Cooper family business. Brian graduated from Towson University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He jumped full-time into the business upon graduation, yet he continued his education in order to stay ahead of the curve. He received the Certified Auctioneers Institute designation (CAI),the Graduate Personal Property Appraiser designation (GPPA), and Certified Estate Specialist (CES) designation through the National Auctioneers Association (NAA). Brian’s knowledge base is extensive, covering all areas of the fine and decorative arts field, as well as business assets. He is the primary contact for all types of evaluations.
Over the three years at the Certified Auctioneers Institute in Bloomington, IN, Brian received both the Pat Massart Award for Best Auction Proposal and the Rose Award for Best Auction Summary.

Paul has spent a lifetime in the auction business. Shortly after graduating from Georgetown University’s Business School, he passed the CPA exam. Since then he has focused his time on expanding all aspects of Alex Cooper. In addition to being a licensed Realtor, he also has a certified general license for real estate appraising. Paul is an expert in the field of real estate having participated in thousands of commercial, multi-family, industrial and residential auction sales throughout Maryland and Washington DC over the course of 40+ years. In addition, a major focus of his is expanding Alex Cooper’s fine arts auctions. When he is not working hard to improve business, you will find him spending time with his family, on the golf course, or traveling.

Selden graduated from Marietta College with a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Fine Art. She then went on to get her Graduate Jeweler Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America in 1997. Prior of joining Alex Cooper as Director of Sales and Fine Jewelry, Selden was Sales Director for Tiffany & Co, Nelson Coleman Jewelers and Dahne & Weinstein. Selden uses her years of experience and gemological degrees to set Alex Cooper apart from other auction houses. Outside of her jewelry career Selden has sat on many boards of charitable foundations including, House of Ruth, GIA, BARCS and Garrison Forest School. She is an active member of many jewelry specific organizations.

Kathleen graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and went on to further her studies in Art and Design at the American College of Art and Design in Atlanta.  Prior to joining Alex Cooper as the Director of Modern and Contemporary Art, Kathleen was the Director of a successful art consulting firm, K. Hamill Art, which focused on promoting and selling the work of Baltimore artists.  At Alex Cooper she created an initiative to present, promote and feature underrepresented artist at auction.  Kathleen is currently serving her second term as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees for the Maryland Art Place as well as sitting on their Program Advisory Committee and has been featured in Baltimore Magazine and Mutual Art.  She is currently focusing on an auction based avenue for promoting emerging artists, moving into the NFT world and broadening Alex Cooper’s private art placement program.  Kathleen is married to a photographer, has two grown children, and an ever expanding collection of art.

Lisa graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a BA in French and Art History. Lisa has been working in the auction market for over 15 years. Currently, her responsibilities include representing Alex Cooper in the Washington, DC area, generating and securing new business, researching, cataloguing and participating in the auctions. Lisa is a published author and lecturer “Politics, Patriotism and Protest Movements: An Evolving Relationship Between Women and Their Undergarments.” Lisa’s parents are retired teachers, artists and natural collectors and she blames them for her unusual collecting tastes. They also instilled in her a quest for adventure and knowledge. She travels as frequently as possible. She lived in France and speaks fluent French.

James is second generation in the business. He has expertise in Chinese Export porcelain, American furniture, Toys and collectibles. He has been in the antiques business for close to 30 years, mentored by some of the best collectors and dealers in the field. James consistently attends shows, museums, lectures to understand relevance of the antique business. James loves the satisfaction of bringing in choice estates that produce excellent results. He started off selling antique windup phonographs and 78 RPM records when he was young. James started in this field as a teenager, and will die in this field.

John’s previous education includes the Maryland Institute, College of Art BFA, where he majored in General Fine Arts and minored in Art History. John studied abroad in Florence, Italy for two semesters in college, and is now married with two kids.

Michael got his M.A in Clinical Psychology in 1984 from Loyola University and worked 32 years in the mental health field. His work has been published in 5 coin magazines and journals. He is a current member of Baltimore Coin Club, Maryland State Numismatic Association, American Numismatic Association. Bust Half Nut Collectors, Liberty Seated Collectors Club, John Reich Collector’s Society, Early American Copper Society and Society of Paper Money Collectors.

Brooke has been working in the luxury consignment industry for five years. Prior to joining the Alex Cooper team, she graduated from Loyola University with a degree in Public Relations & Advertising. Today, Brooke specializes in luxury handbag authentication, with the distinct knowledge of brands such as Chanel, Goyard, Dior, Gucci and Hermès. She has a Digital Marketing Certification from Business of Fashion, and is a member of the Luxury Handbag Group, for experienced professionals in the luxury handbag industry. Brooke’s desire for knowledge and collecting, has taken her around the world. In her free time, you can find Brooke at the barn riding horses.

Abigail joined Alex Cooper Auctioneers as a full time graphic designer with extensive experience in marketing and brand identity. Her role quickly evolved as she began authenticating and creating auction estimates for consignors bringing in their beloved luxury handbags and accessories. Abigail recently spearheaded the creation of the Luxury Handbag and Accessories department, where she authenticates, curates, lists and markets items for auction. Her brand knowledge ranges from Hermès to Chanel and spans the likes of niche brands such as Moynat and Loewe. Abigail enjoys travel, dessert and tracking down special pieces for her own collection. 

Heather has been working in the world of Interior Design in one capacity or another throughout her career. Having worked at both sides of the design relationship – Vendor and Designer, she truly understands the ins and out of what makes a productive and pleasant relationship between the two. She has ongoing informative and lively conversations with Alex Cooper’s vendors and scouting new trends and potential lines; All leading to new fun developments in the months ahead! Heather’s love of design and rare finds has her searching high and low all over Baltimore, and online, for that one of a kind piece, be it in furniture or fashion. When not at work, Heather loves laughing with friends, spending time with her dog, and trying new restaurants.

My name is Alex Hernan and I am the new Director of Furniture at Alex Cooper Auctioneers. Furniture has been and always will be a passion of mine. Before starting college at the University of Baltimore, I began a part time job delivering furniture for a local antique and consignment store. During this time, I became fascinated with the variety of different pieces that were delivered to the store. I began studying the history of furniture and developing the skills that are required to identify pieces. As my knowledge and skills grew, I became the Store Manager. Over the last 10 years, I have visited hundreds of clients in the Baltimore, D.C., and surrounding Mid Atlantic areas, with one purpose, to maximize the value of each client’s possessions. Whether it be one item to sell or an entire household, I was there to assist them. It is with great pride in my commitment to my clients, and desire for providing excellent customer service, that has made me love this industry. I cannot see myself doing anything else. I currently live in New Freedom Pennsylvania with my wife Alison and our rescue dog Nala.

Angela graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Art History in 2013. She later furthered her studies by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Art History and Museum Studies with a focus on research and museum best practices including care and object handling, policy and procedure. As an intern at the Towson University Asian Arts and Culture Center, she curated a complementary exhibition to the Center’s 2016 Chinese Folk Pottery exhibition along with assisting collections management and educational programs. She later accepted the role of graduate assistant working in both the studio and classroom setting and functioned as an assistant to the director. Angela joined Alex Cooper in 2019 as a Decorative and Asian Arts Intern before being offered the position of Auction Coordinator where she loves working with the numerous decorative art objects. She has been a volunteer for the Walter’s Museum in their Museum Store where she contributed to programming and planning. Angela lives with her husband and two rambunctious Dalmatians, Rogue and Fin, is an avid traveler and enjoys gaming.

Erin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master’s degree in Art History from the University of Georgia, where she served as President of the Association of Graduate Art Students. In her role as President, Erin led and organized the 2018-2019 AGAS Visiting Scholars series at the Lamar Dodd School of Art, as well as coordinated and co-curated collaborative exhibitions at local Athens, GA galleries. Prior to her graduate studies, Erin spent three years on the curatorial staff at GreenHill Center for NC Art in Greensboro, NC and served as Project Manager for GreenHill’s 2017 exhibition, M.A.D. | Motorcycle. Art. Design. More recently, Erin has turned her attention to estate jewelry, earning her Applied Jewelry Professional and Graduate Diamonds certifications from the Gemological Institute of America. Erin continues to expand upon her knowledge of jewelry through hands-on experience, GIA lectures and Baltimore Jewelry Center courses. She is currently working toward her GIA Graduate Gemologist degree.

Richard has over 30 years’ experience as a personal property appraiser, cataloguer, and auctioneer. At Alex Cooper from 2000-2015, in turns (and often simultaneously) he was cataloguer of silver, jewelry, coins, stamps, historical memorabilia including autographs and ephemera, firearms and edged weapons, ethnographic art, and books. Having taken some time away, he returned to Alex Cooper to assist with the Discovery Sales in early 2019. He is ready to take on the extra duties of cataloguing books and related materials whenever needed.

Richard graduated The Boys’ Latin School in Baltimore in 1980; received a concurrent BA/MA in History from Johns Hopkins University in 1984; and MA from the Writing Seminars at Hopkins in 1986. As a scholar, he has always been interested in material culture and the ways in which objects are exchanged and understood between cultures and over time. He is the author of a book on Black Marylanders who settled in Liberia before the Civil War.

Karlie graduated from Towson University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology with minors in both Museum Studies and Marketing. She started at Alex Cooper Auctioneers as an Art Research Intern in July 2020. Following the completion of an almost year-long research project on the art archives of a renowned artist, Karlie recently joined Alex Cooper full time as an Auction Coordinator. Karlie enjoys travel and learning about new cultures and histories. Outside of work she loves spending time with her German Shepherd, Gracie, and working on numerous art projects.