James Hopf named Chief of Staff

Greenville attorney James F. Hopf has been named Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at East Carolina University, following unanimous approval by the Board of Trustees Aug. 31.

Hopf will begin his appointment Sept. 30. He will work directly with Chancellor Cecil Staton, who began his tenure at the university on July 1.

“Jim is well known in Greenville and at ECU and has an excellent background as an attorney. He has the characteristics I was looking for – discipline, excellent writing skills, and the judgment to advise me and to manage the chancellor’s office,” Staton said. “I believe he will be a tremendous asset to the university.”

James Hopf (Photo by Cliff Hollis)

An attorney in Greenville since 1990, Hopf has been active in the community serving on the Pitt County Board of Education (1996-2002), past chair and board member of Communities in Schools of Pitt County, and the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation.

“After practicing law for 30 years, this was something different but professionally challenging where I can use the skill sets that I developed practicing law for a different purpose; being involved in the university and community is attractive to me,” Hopf said.

Hopf earned his undergraduate degree from Campbell University and his law degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Since 2010, he has practiced law in his own firm concentrating on business matters, civil litigation, including business consulting, land use and zoning matters, environmental and contamination issues in addition to general legal counseling and operational insight for businesses and community non-profits.

He has received multiple professional honors, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Campbell University, the AV Preeminent Legal Rating from Martindale Hubbell, and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America eight times including 2016.

Dr. Chris Locklear, who accepted the position of vice provost for academic success in January, previously served as chief of staff and continued in that role on an interim basis.