The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) awarded Zeke Cooper of Aniwaya Design & Planning with the 2018 Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

The award recognizes an entrepreneur aged 40 or younger who has demonstrated spirit and initiative and who serves as an example to students pursuing a landscape industry career, according to NALP.

Cooper is a national award-winning landscape architect and landscape industry expert based in Cherokee, N.C. Over the course of his career, Cooper has worked with many notable individuals and companies including Tom Fazio Golf Course Designers, ValleyCrest Landscape Development, Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

Currently, Cooper is the principal and managing partner of the architecture firm, Aniwaya Design & Planning. Some of his clients include the Greenbrier Resort, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Proven Winners and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The award was presented on March 15 during the National Collegiate Landscape Competition at Alamance Community College in Graham, N.C.

Nominations for the 2019 Young Entrepreneur of the Year award will be accepted beginning in the summer.