New Operations Manager Brings Experience, Leadership & Commitment to CVP
By Jackie Edmondson
Manager of Marketing and Member Services
When Chris Hopkins saw a help-wanted ad in his local newspaper more than 3 decades ago, he had no way of knowing it would launch a lifelong career. Today, that career has brought him to Alabama as the new operations manager of Coosa Valley Propane, a subsidiary of Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative.
“We’re excited to welcome Chris to the Coosa Valley team,” said Jon Cullimore, general manager of Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative. “His extensive industry experience, leadership background and commitment to customer service make him an excellent fit for our organization and the communities we serve.”
Hopkins officially joined the company June 1, succeeding Rick Chapman, who retired after 11 years of service. A native of eastern North Carolina, Hopkins arrived with decades of experience in the propane industry and a leadership philosophy rooted in customer service.
“I’ve spent a majority of my life in this industry, and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue serving customers and leading a great team in Alabama,” he said. After graduating from Northern Nash High School, Hopkins decided college was not in his immediate plans. “I knew I didn’t want to go right back into a classroom,” he said. “I wanted to get out and go to work.”
He held jobs as a seasonal right-of-way worker and a shipping clerk before a newspaper advertisement changed the course of his career. “By chance, I saw an ad that the local propane company needed a cylinder delivery driver,” he said. “I applied and got the job. Looking back, it was really luck of the draw.”
What began as a driving position soon evolved. Hopkins advanced to operating a bulk delivery truck before moving into the service side of the business 4 years later. “I enjoyed the industry so much that I decided to make propane my career,” he said. Throughout the years, 1 aspect of the industry has remained his favorite: serving customers.
“I enjoy interacting with customers and making sure their expectations are met,” he said. “At the end of the day, we are helping families have what they need to heat their homes, heat their water and cook their meals. To me, it’s meaningful work.”
Hopkins’ career took another step forward in 2019 when he moved into leadership, serving as an operations manager and customer service manager before becoming a general manager of a North Carolina company specializing in propane, gasoline products and lubricants.
Even in management, he never wanted to lose touch with the people he serves. “I’ve always believed in being customer-facing,” he said. “I’m not someone who wants to stay behind a desk all day. I like being out with the customers, listening to their needs and making sure we deliver on our promises. If anything, I’d rather under-promise and over-deliver.”
Hopkins served 6 years in the National Guard, an experience he said helped shape his work ethic and leadership style. “The National Guard taught me discipline, accountability and how to lead by example,” he said. “Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to influence the way I work with my co-workers and customers today.”
Although he chose full-time employment over college after high school, education remained a personal goal. In 2018, he earned an associate degree in religion from Liberty University. 2 years later, he received a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on religion, business, and intercultural communication.
“I was motivated to continue growing as a leader,” he said. “I felt earning a degree would prepare me for greater responsibilities and opportunities.” When the opportunity at Coosa Valley Propane became available, several factors made the move appealing. Among them was the chance to live near Talladega Superspeedway.
“As a huge NASCAR fan, it’s pretty exciting to be able to call this area home and have 1 of the most famous racetracks in the country practically in my backyard,” he said. Now living in Lincoln, Hopkins is looking forward to learning more about Alabama and becoming part of the community.
“Sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to grow and create positive change,” he said. “This was an opportunity for me and my wife to do that.” Family remains a central part of Hopkins’ life. He and his wife, Trish, have been married for 10 years. Between them, they have 4 adult children and 7 grandchildren.
“Being farther away from our children and grandchildren is certainly an adjustment,” he said. “But we’re a close family and thanks to technology, they’re never more than a phone call or video chat away. They’re excited for us and that has made the transition a lot easier.”
Only a short time into his new role, Hopkins said he already feels at home at Coosa Valley Propane.
“I’m loving it so far,” he said. “This is a customer-focused organization, but it’s also an employee-friendly organization. Financial reports and analytics are important because they tell you where a company is headed, but they don’t tell the whole story. People are important. What impressed me immediately was how much this company cares about its employees. I could see that culture from day one.”