Growing up in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Ed Coppinger was the fifth of eight children and son to a former state representative. Ed graduated from Catholic Memorial in 1990 and went on to get a degree in accounting from Bryant University. As a lifelong resident of West Roxbury, Ed remained active in the community, eventually establishing a news website for local parents to find information about sports leagues and upcoming events. Ed ran for office for the first time in 2010, defeating five other candidates and earning nearly 40% of the vote to become State Representative of the 10th Suffolk District. Ed is now married with four daughters and serving his sixth term for the 10th Suffolk District, which includes the towns of West Roxbury, Roslindale, and Brookline. He currently serves as Chair to the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, overseeing legislation concerning business establishments, economic districts and local planning commissions, urban renewal, and other such matters. Ed was diagnosed 20 years ago with chronic kidney disease during a routine physical. Doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital monitored Ed closely for 15 years. In early 2015, he was notified that he would need a kidney transplant. Months later, Ed would receive his new kidney, with the donor being one of his sisters. The Medical and Biotech Industries have played a key role in Ed’s life, and he is always willing to offer his assistance when needed.