To all my friends, Supporters, and Candidates

I was proud to run for the Register of Wills race with such great candidates and to see all the republican candidates run such a clean hard fought race is great for the party. I hope now to unite my supporters, with those of the other candidates and the Democratic Party.  To prove that with my youthful energy, hard work ethic and plan of action for our free community outreach program, and by keeping the staff which has years of experience to provide the same outstanding one on one service is what the register of wills need. Thanks to all

The voters of Harford County are now the judge and jury. That is why each and everyone must report to the polls this PRIMARY ELECTION. Since August 12^th, 2009 I have been campaigning to win your votes and if I have not personal met you I hope to in the very near future. Early voting centers will be open at the Bel Air Public Library, 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014 from 10am to 8pm every day from Friday, September 3rd through Thursday, September 9th, 2010, except for Sunday, September 5th when early voting centers are closed.  Please Vote For Derek Hopkins for Register of Wills…

As Register of Wills I have set a goal to establish a free community outreach program.  This program is designed to convey to the citizens of Harford County that it is never too early or too late, to start preparing your estate planning strategies.  We will reach out to a targeted age group of 35 to 75 years of age, helping to enable the citizens of Harford County to learn more about estate planning before they need the services.  They can also make early connections with valuable resources; such as, attorneys, Certified Public Accountants, assisted living facilities, private health services, insurance offices, funeral homes and the Office of Register of Wills itself!  

My plan for this service is to conduct workshops and presentations for community councils and homeowner associations, especially those of the active adult communities.  We also intend to promote the program through larger events in the form of Estate Expos, which will be held several times a year throughout the County.  Everyone benefits when the public is informed, and the small business sectors get involved. Our program will not cost to the State or County any extra funding.  

To learn even more about Derek Hopkins, work with estate services, and his goals as the next Harford County Register of Wills please visit www.derekhopkins.org

As Register of Wills,

 I will be in the office every day, working hard to provide the compassion and understanding for those who need help with filing estates.

 We plan to establish a FREE Outreach Program to help educate citizens about the office of Register of Wills and the other resources available to them such as attorneys, CPA’s, funeral homes, and more, so that their questions can get answered.

 I will keep the staff which has years of experience to provide the same outstanding one on one service  helping citizens and attorneys handling a loved one’s estate.  

 To learn even more about Derek Hopkins, work with estate services, and his goals as the next Harford County Register of Wills please visit www.derekhopkins.org

On February 23, 2010 A major turn occurred in the race for Harford County Register of Wills when current and longtime Register of Wills Harry L.W. Hopkins officially endorsed Republican candidate Derek Hopkins.

Mr. Harry L.W. Hopkins has been Register of Wills for Harford County for the past 22 years and has known Derek for over 30 years. Mr. Hopkins says, “I have come to know Derek as a mature and capable person who possesses the high quality of character it takes to be Register of Wills. His knowledge and experience as an auctioneer and appraiser will assist him with the position of Register of Wills.” 

As you get to know Derek Hopkins you will see a lifelong resident of Harford County who is uniquely qualified for the office he is seeking. Derek is a graduate of the Missouri Auction School and the three year Certified Auction Institute Program at Indiana University. Derek has been a full time auctioneer and estate appraiser with a focus on estate services for the past 10 years and a third generation real estate agent for the Harry Hopkins Company.

To learn even more about Derek Hopkins, work with estate services, and his goals as the next Harford County Register of Wills please visit www.derekhopkins.org

Derek Hopkins is currently a full time auctioneer, appraiser, and a third generation real estate agent, who has focused on estate services.  Hopkins is a graduate of North Harford High School, where he served in the FFA and as Maryland State FFA Vice President.  After high school he attended Virginia Tech with a focus on business management, and worked in the Swine Research Center.  Hopkins is a graduate of the Missouri Auction School, Kansas City, MO.  He also is a graduate of the three-year Certified Auctioneer Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

Hopkins is a past 4-H member, and has been an active volunteer in 4-H for years.  He joined the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company at the age of 16, where he served as a firefighter and EMS member. After buying a home in Pylesville, he joined the Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company, where he is an active firefighter, EMS driver, and past president of the company.  Hopkins has served in many other roles at the company as well.  During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he was sent by FEMA to be deployed to Mississippi where he served over a month helping the citizens of the gulf coast.  Hopkins has also served on a number of other community groups. He is a member of Harford County‘s Agricultural Advisory Board and is for saving the agricultural industry.

Derek grew up on the Hopkins Family farm in Darlington, where he says he learned his hard work ethic from his great-grandmother Hazel Hopkins and grandfather Harry G. Hopkins.  The family farm is now in farm preservation. Hopkins resides in Pylesville with his wife Katrina, who has worked for the State of Maryland’s Court System for over 12 years. They have two children—Tim, 10 and Emma, 7. 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.