Brey Hopkins is appointed by The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Loh to serve as Colorado’s Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs effective Jan. 6, 2020. Hopkins is formerly an active duty infantry officer that joined the Colorado National Guard in 2018 and continues to serve as a traditional National Guard member in the rank of Colonel. (Official Department of Defense photo)(Photo by Dave Schmidt)
By Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
CENTENNIAL, Colo. –The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Loh has appointed Brey Hopkins to serve as the Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs effective Jan. 6, 2020.
“Brey has demonstrated exemplary leadership and decision-making during his more than 30 years of military service,” Loh said. “As director of joint plans, operations, and military support for Joint Task Force-Centennial, Brey transformed our National Guard domestic response capabilities and ensured the safety of our Colorado communities. I am confident that he will continue to positively impact our department in his new role.”
Hopkins received his Army commission as an Infantry officer through the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina in 1989. Following Active Duty service as an Infantry officer in the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Hopkins separated from Active Duty and served in positions of executive management in the transportation, logistics and energy sectors, including as both Vice President of Operations and President.
In 2008, Mr. Hopkins transitioned back to the Colorado National Guard. In addition to supporting TAG and Governor priorities and initiatives, Mr. Hopkins continues to serve as a traditional National Guard member in the rank of Colonel.
Colorado’s former DMVA DED Michael (Mickey) T. Hunt retired in 2019. Hunt served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard for more than 31 years. He was the DMVA DED for the past 10 years.
The DMVA has three divisions. The division of the National Guard that, while in a state status, reports to Gov. Jared Polis. The Division of Veterans Affairs provides direct services to veterans and acts as a statewide training resource for Colorado’s network of County Veterans Service Officers. The Division of Veterans Affairs also maintains the Colorado State Veterans Cemetery and Western Region One Source located in Grand Junction. The Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol exists as a division of the department, a volunteer non-profit organization, and as part of the official auxiliary of the USAF.