Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Mayor Bobby J. Hopewell has spent his entire adult career in the service of others. From his professional positions in healthcare to his board memberships and civic responsibilities, he has demonstrated leadership and passion for improving the lives of all citizens in Kalamazoo.

Mayor Hopewell is currently the Director of Hospitality Services at Borgess Medical Center, where he leads a team of 250 dedicated individuals to provide a clean, safe and comfortable environment for Borgess patients and customers. Before joining Borgess, he served as the Community Relations Manager for Bronson Healthcare Group where he was actively involved in community health improvement and wellness efforts. Prior to his hospital service, he served as Operations Manager for Life EMS Ambulance, directing a staff of extremely skilled and professional emergency responders. He was instrumental in developing Life EMS into one of the first ambulance companies in the nation to receive national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services.

First elected to the Kalamazoo City Commission in 2003, Mr. Hopewell has contributed his time and energy to comprehensive community development and public safety. And he has worked to ensure accountability and equity in all his efforts there.

Like his work on the Commission, Mr. Hopewell has served with distinction in organizations that play a role in significantly improving our community. They include chairing the Kalamazoo Planning Commission (1995 - 1999) and the Kalamazoo Charter Review Committee (1997-1999), as well as, his membership on the Kalamazoo Community Foundation Community Investment Committee (2002-2003).

The Mayor has also been actively involved with organizations that are dedicated local economic development. He served on the boards of both the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce (1998 - 2001 and 2003-2004) and the Northside Business Association (1993-present).

Youth and leadership development have also been common threads in Mr. Hopewell's career of volunteerism. To that end, he chaired the Leadership Kalamazoo Advisory Board, was president of the Kalamazoo County SAFE KIDS Coalition, and was President of Pretty Lake Vacation Camp. He currently participates on the Kalamazoo Public School Teaching and Learning Council.

A member of the Black Police Officers Association, past board member of the Northside Association for Community Development and former mentor for the Kalamazoo Area Academic Achievement Program, Mr. Hopewell is a fervent advocate for the Kalamazoo community and its citizens.

A graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, he received an Associate's in health technology from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and a bachelor's of arts degree in public service and EMS administration from Sienna Heights College. He is currently pursuing his master's degree from Western Michigan University in human resource development.