I was sworn into office as the Register of Wills for Harford County on the evening of November 30, 2010 and started on December 1, 2010. Prior to becoming Register of Wills, I was a full time auctioneer, estate appraiser, and a third generation real estate agent, who has focused on estate services. I graduated from North Harford High School, where I served in the FFA and as Maryland State FFA Vice President. After high school, I attended Virginia Tech with a focus on business management, and worked in the Swine Research Center. I am a graduate of the Missouri Auction School in Kansas City, MO. I also am a graduate of the three-year Certified Auctioneer Institute at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
I am a past 4-H member, and have been an active volunteer in 4-H for years. I joined the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company at the age of 16, and served as a firefighter and EMS member. After buying a home in Pylesville, I joined the Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company, where I am currently an active firefighter, EMS driver, and the past president of the company. I have served in many other roles at the company as well. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I was sent by FEMA to be deployed to Mississippi where I served over a month helping the citizens of the gulf coast. I have also served on a number of other community groups. I am a member of Harford County’s Agricultural Advisory Board and am passionate about saving the agricultural industry.
I grew up on the Hopkins Family farm in Darlington, and working with my great-grandmother, Hazel Hopkins, and grandfather, Harry G. Hopkins, is where I learned my hard work ethic. The family farm is now in farm preservation. I reside in Pylesville with my wife, Katrina, who worked for the State of Maryland’s Court System for over 12 years. The family spends a lot of time now working on their small farm where they have dairy goats, beef cattle, and chickens. 4-H is a big part of their family life and it allows them to spend a lot of family time together.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
The Hopkins family has lived in Harford County for generations. I have been married to my High School sweetheart Katrina for 25 years and we have two children, Tim and Emma. Tim is married to Hailey and Emma is married to Logan, her high school sweetheart as well, who is a United States Marine.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Since 2010 I has served as the Register of Wills for Harford County, I love helping folks through the estate process and going after those who take advantage of our elderly. I hope to stay in this position until I can retire. I also run a non-profit for recovery in the county called Char Hope Foundation, Inc. More information can be found here: https://www.charhope.org/
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorite restaurants are Sunny Day, Bagel Works of Bel Air, and anywhere there is good food.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
All of my life I have lived and worked in the Harford County community and back in the day traveled the country as an auctioneer for JP King out of Alabama.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Robin Keener, Founder of the Homecoming Project, is a fearless leader and supporter of the recovery community.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Well the Cowboy channel; I love the rodeos.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Continue to give back to your community.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
It would have to be the Big M in Churchville, such a loss.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would like to meet the H. Turney McKnight. I would love the learn how he got involved in to being such a philanthropist, his stories about Harford County and we would converse over lunch at One Eleven Main.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Ag community is one closest to me and this community is always there when another needs help which is truly missing in a lot of other areas.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself finishing out the job of Register of Wills, still serving as a Volunteer Firefighter in the county, and continuing to build the legacy of the Char Hope Foundation Inc.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I am a pretty open book but the one thing I would like to do is be a bull fighter for a rodeo and to protect the riders.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I would rate 10 out of 10 as someone who give 100% to a mission or goal.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family from growing up on the farm.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family time, Security, Relaxation
