Kristopher A. Lopez, a native of San Antonio, Texas, graduated with his General Education Degree in 2001 and quickly joined the U.S. Army.

In 2001, Kristopher enlisted in the Army, completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and then attended the Signal Support System Specialist Advanced Individual Training Course at Fort Gordon, Georgia, earning the MOS 31U.

Upon finishing the Advanced Individual Training Course, CW3 Lopez joined the 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 75th Fires Brigade at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he served in various leadership roles, from Unit Level Communications Maintainer to Battalion Communications Section Chief.

After completing the Basic Leadership Course, Airborne School, and the Ranger Indoctrination Program, CW3 Lopez became the Communications Team Chief in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. He subsequently deployed to Iraq during the Surge from 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.

Following the Senior Leadership Course and Ranger School, he served as the Battalion Communications Chief for Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. In 2010, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn and was later selected for Warrant Officer Candidate School.

In 2011, CW3 Lopez graduated from the Warrant Officer Basic Course and was assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas as the Brigade Signal Support Technician. In 2012, he deployed to Afghanistan as the Brigade’s Communications Technician in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

After returning to Fort Hood, he deployed again with the 1st Cavalry Division, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08, where he served as both the Division Network Security Technician and COMSEC Technician.

CW3 Lopez concluded his Army career with a three-year tour with the 7th Special Forces Group in Destin, Florida, including two deployments from 2015-2016, where he served as Chief Technology Officer. He retired from the 35th Infantry.

In his civilian education, CW3 Lopez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Pennsylvania State University, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Information Security from Pennsylvania State University. He also attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for his MBA but chose to leave to pursue a career as an entrepreneur based on his studies at UNC.

Kristopher Lopez completed extensive military education, including the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Leadership Course (Phases I & II), Airborne School, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Ranger School, Senior Leadership Course, Air Assault School, Warrant Officer Candidate School, Observer Controller Academy, and Warrant Officer Basic Course. He also earned CompTIA Security+ certification.

CW3 Lopez received numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with three bronze oak leaf clusters), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal (with one oak leaf cluster). Additional honors include the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (with two silver knots), the National Defense Medal (with service star), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (with silver star), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 3), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 3), the NATO Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Action Badge, the Basic Airborne Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Driver/Mechanic’s Badge.

He also earned several combat deployment patches for his service time in combat theaters.