Hopkins had chaired the fee since 2015. Governor Tate Reeves will now appoint his successor.

The Chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Fee – Al Hopkins – has died simply shy of his 82nd birthday.

Hopkins, who was in his third time period, had chaired the Gaming Fee since 2015. He was nominated for reappointment by Governor Tate Reeves final 12 months. Following a contentious reconfirmation course of within the state Senate, Hopkins was reconfirmed to a brand new time period through the 2022 legislative session.

Governor Reeves will now appoint a brand new Gaming Commissioner to fill the emptiness, which can even should be confirmed by the Senate. Reeves might faucet one of many different two commissioners – Franc Lee or Tom Gresham – as the following chairman or faucet his new appointee for that function.

In accordance with his bio with the Gaming Fee, Hopkins was a former Assistant Adjutant Common of the Mississippi Nationwide Guard and retired with the rank of Main Common. Throughout his army service, he earned a number of awards, together with the Legion of Advantage and the Magnolia Cross. Hopkins served 13 years as Chief Choose of the Courtroom of Army Appeals.

Hopkins held bachelor’s levels in English and Historical past from Delta State College and earned his Juris Doctorate from the College of Mississippi College of Legislation. He additionally held a bachelor’s diploma in Biblical Research from William Carey College and an Honorary Grasp of Legal guidelines diploma in legislation from Mississippi Faculty College of Legislation.

Hopkins based his personal legislation agency in 1977 and was president of ANH Enterprises, Inc. and Muddy River Farms, LLC, a farming, ranching, and land improvement firm.