MPA 2007
AP Title: “Cluster-Based Economic Development: An Analysis of Delaware’s Biotechnology and Life Science Cluster”
chair: Jonathan Justice; committee member: Ed Freel
e-mail: erik.s.hopkins@gmail.com
current position:
Professional Staff
Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security - Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chair
U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Washington, D.C.
introduction | education | experience | qualifications | honors and awards | projects and reports | presentations
IntroductionErik Hopkins received his Master of Public Administration degree with a focus in Economic Development and Financial Management in 2007. While attending the University of Delaware and serving as a Research Assistant for the Institute for Public Administration, Mr. Hopkins focused his academic research on developing strategic economic development policies for the state of Delaware that enhanced workforce development and invested in emerging biotechnology industries.
In his current capacity, Mr. Hopkins serves as a Professional Staff member on the U.S. Senate Federal Financial Management Subcommittee with responsibility for overseeing the effective implementation of information technology throughout the federal government. Mr. Hopkins has been the lead staff member for several Subcommittee hearings that exposed wasteful IT investments and inadequate information-security policies and practices within agencies.
EducationMPA, University of Delaware 2007, Financial Management and State & Local Management
BA, University of Delaware 2005, International Relations, with a specialization in Economic Development in Latin America
ExperienceJuly 2007–present
Professional Staff, Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security - Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chair, U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Washington, D.C.
January–June 2007
Legislative Fellow, Delaware State Senate, Dover, Del.
May 2006–May 2007
Treasurer, Urban Affairs Student Association, University of Delaware
Summer 2006
Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper, Washington, D.C.
September 2005–May 2007
Graduate Research Assistant, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware
Newark, Del.
2001–2005
Open-Water Rescue Specialist/Jumper, Bethany Beach Patrol/Delaware State Police Trooper 2
Bethany Beach, Del.
QualificationsProgramming languages: Basic, Visual Basic, C, C++, HTML
Programs: Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access), Macromedia Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash, SPSS
Languages: Conversational Spanish
Honors and AwardsDirector’s Citation, 2007
Legislative Fellow, 2007
Sigma Iota Rho National Honor Society, 2005
Dean’s List, Fall 2003–Spring 2005
Projects and ReportsComprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) – Fall 2005
Erik worked with the Delaware Economic Development Office and other members of the IPA staff to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy for Sussex, Kent, and portions of New Castle Counties. The CEDS created an economic development roadmap for policy-makers to focus federal grants on distressed areas.
Municipal Clerks Training – Fall 2005
Erik coordinated a local municipal clerks training for the Delaware and Maryland region. In addition Erik instructed a section on “How to Better Serve the Latino Population,” which focused on helping municipalities cope with transitions in demographics.
Presentations“Reporting at the Top – The Changing Face of Security Governance,” 9th Security Conference, Washington, D.C., November 21, 2008.
“Manageable Risk: An Oversight Perspective,” Executive Leadership Conference, Williamsburg, Va., October 27, 2008.
