Vol. 1, No. 1
Contents BBM FEATURES
2 COVER STORY Who he is, what he does and what he’s been up to. Including an Interview with
the Boss and A look behind the “Work” Curtain.
6 A Mother’s Love A proud mother shares her excitement for her son’s successes and a special family member shares some insights.
7 Gary As A Family Man: A Family’s View The scoop from his family. Their interviews may surprise you!!
8An A-Lister’s Role The woman behind the man: Photos and some inside info that exposes her commitment to service.
9 He May Be The Boss But: . . . What Gary’s colleagues have to say about his leadership
11 Photo Essay A pictorial view of the early sports life and times of Gary Hopkins.
15 Tribute Pages Mr. “Best Boss” in action and his 2014 Top Executive Award.
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Gary L. Hopkins, Executive Vice President – Student Loan Operations Division GC Services
Gary Hopkins works for GC Services, a company whose maxim is Your business is our business. The company is known throughout the industry as The Unparalleled Leader in Quality Performance, Compliance and Client Service. Mr. Hopkins takes this maxim and the thought of “unparalleled service” to heart each day as he works to not only meet, but exceed company expectations. Mr. Hopkins is responsible for executive leadership of GC Services' Student Loan Operations Division and has over 20 years of industry experience. This division, under Mr. Hopkins' leadership, manages government student loan receivable services provided by GC Services for all guarantor clients and the U.S. Department of Education.
Mr. Hopkins sets goals for overall operational and administrative responsibilities, as well as provides executive-level leadership in the management of GC Services’ approach for handling defaulted student loan portfolios. Mr. Hopkins is a FY2005 recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives, which is bestowed annually by the U.S. government. 2
Guess what Best Boss Magazine’s (BBM) Featured Boss has been up to . . .
Source: Friday, February 13, 2015 3 NCHER Daily Briefing
Interview with Gary L. Hopkins When BEST BOSS Magazine (BBM) caught up with Gary Hopkins, we found him between feats of excellence and laughing. He graciously took the time to be interviewed and we took advantage of this opportunity to ask him some pressing questions about his views on life. We asked him to answer these questions by giving us his TOP 10 LIST of the answers to each question.
SECRETS TO MARRIAGE BBM: Gary, we want to start by asking you a question that many have on their minds: “With your busy lifestyle and career, what are your secrets to staying happily married to your wife?” Gary: “Having married later in life, I realized that the things I thought were important, were not; and the things that I did not think were important, certainly are. My Top 11 list for staying married reflects the things that I now know are most important”
1. LOVE and total commitment. 2. Enjoy each other’s company. 3. Forgiveness. 4. Patience. 5.Have FAITH in one another. 6. Look for the positive in each other (don’t dwell on, or look for, the negatives). 7. Know how to argue or manage disagreements. 8. Be willing to give more than you take (that’s more than 50-50). 9. Continue to BE YOURSELF and allow your partner the freedom to be themselves, too. 10. Laugh with each other (A lot!!!). 11. Don’t sweat the small stuff (decide what’s most important). IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION BBM: Why is education so important to you? Gary: “My mother and father always expected me to get an education, so that was never far from my mind. Plus, I love to learn! My Top 10 reasons education is so important to me also reflect my views for all people. Here are my Top 10:”
1. It makes you more confident. 2. Education provides you with a better understanding of the world we live in.
3. It can turn dreams into reality. 4. Education (knowledge) gives you a better chance at gaining equality. 5. Education allows you to learn new things and to challenge yourself. 6. Education makes you happier – Knowledge can be powerful happiness. 7. It leads to a more educated citizenry which lends itself to a better society as a whole. You will become a better citizen. 8. Education may boost your earning potential. 9. It allows you to gain a better knowledge of “self”.. 10. Education makes you independent – not so easily influenced/gullible.
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GARY’S BEST BOSS GUIDE TO LEADERSHIP BBM: Gary, when we think of all you have done and all of the effort you put into each and everything you have accomplished during your career, we sometimes forgot that you are a devoted son husband, brother, Godfather uncle, and friend. It seems that you do it ALL and without a complaint. Can you PLEASE give us a brief synopsis of your guide to leadership? Gary: “I have a strong resolve and I am willing to go that extra mile to see my professional visions through. I also have many talented people who work for me and with me who believe in me”. There is no way that I am letting them down. I think what guides my leadership are these principles. I try daily to: 1. Be Honest and Dependable 2. Be creative (not my strong point). 3. Listen effectively. 4. Learn to delegate effectively. 5. Demonstrate confidence (not arrogance). 6. Work hard (be fully committed). 7. Keep a positive attitude. . 8. Have a healthy sense of humor (make sure everyone knows it is ok to have fun). 9. Lead by example . 10. Accept the things that I cannot change.
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FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS BBM: Anyone who knows you, knows that you are very familyoriented. Can you tell us what family means to you? Gary: “First comes GOD, and then my family is next. My family means the world to me and I do not know what I would do without them. They bring me joy and I am Blessed to have such a loving family!” BBM: Here is the list that Gary shared with us about family: What "family" means to me: 1. Everything. 2. Unconditional Love. 3. Security; having a foundation to fall back on. 4. Having a support system that's always there. 5. Family influences your decisionmaking. I make decisions that will positively impact my family. 6. Family helps develop your “moral compass”. 7. Family continually shapes you into who you are throughout life. 8. Family helps protect you from outside forces that may not have your best interest at heart. 9. Family Teaches you about love and caring. 10. Laughter and happiness.
WORDS FROM A PROUD MOTHER BBM: Mrs. Hopkins, we know that you are extremely proud of your son, but we want to know what makes him tick. Did you know when he was a child that he would become so successful? Esther (Mother): “Yes, I am extremely proud of him because when I grew up, people of color were met with many glass ceilings.” But, that did not stop Gary LaVaughn. He has surpassed my wildest dreams for his success. But, when he was a child, I was not sure he would be as successful as he is, however, I had an idea that he would. He was always smart and did well in school, but you just never know. You raise them the best you can, and then hope that they will succeed. Gary certainly did succeed.
Catching Up With
Rhonni Bianca
Rhonni Bianca Hill is Gary’s Goddaughter. However, since she entered his life at a very young age, he considers her to be his very own “daughter” and she calls him “Uncle Gary.” Between the monikers of Godfather, Uncle, Goddaughter and Daughter, they collectively sum up their closeness and their unbreakable bond. Currently, Rhonni Bianca is living and working in Atlanta, but they visit each other whenever they get a chance in their busy schedules. Recently, BEST BOSS MAGAZINE (BBM) caught up with this beautiful young woman and asked her to share her thoughts about her Godfather’s successes. In a candid interview, here is what she said: I know that my Godfather, Gary L. Hopkins, is a very successful businessman and this is demonstrated through the journey that took him from where he started and lead him to where he now stands. However the successful businessman is not the man that I have come to know and love. To me, he is much more than a businessman or a Godfather. To me he is the best singer on this side of the Mississippi (just ask him the sing No Pain, No Gain or Hey You, Get Off My Mountain). As well, in my mind, he is the best basketball player that ever lived (even though I never seen him play). My godfather has been in my life since I was around the age of five and he has always treated me like I was his own child. He has been a protector, a provider, and a man that I can look up to and I thank God for placing him in my life. I love him more than the words on this paper will ever express and I pray that God sends down a special blessing for him. The African Proverb says "It takes a village to raise a child." Well I am so glad that God saw fit to have him as a part of my village. I want him to know that I love him and . . . When I count my blessings I count [him] twice.
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Thoughts From the Hopkins Family . . . BBM found Gary’s family members and asked them the following question: Are you proud of Gary for his successful career, as a family member; why or why not? Alicia Moore-Hopkins (Wife): I love Gary to the moon and back and I am extremely proud of him. I am proud of him as a leader because his leadership style mirrors his views on life. He is open-minded and treats all with care and respect. He never lets anyone or anything get him down and does not take disagreements personally. I think that these leadership characteristics help him to be successful in his career, and in life. As a husband, Gary is a wonderful provider, friend, mate, and confidante!! He is supportive and, though he travels much of the time, he more than makes up for his absences when he is home by playing with our dog, Ebony, planning romantic get-a-ways, and finding time to laugh with me about any and everything. He is amazing!! Adrienne Hopkins (Niece): I am very proud of my Uncle Gary. Growing up he always seemed to have the most interesting life. The success that he has had professionally is something that I am striving to accomplish in my own professional life. He has set a bar for the family with how well he has done in life. The relationships that he maintains with family and friends is equally as (or more) impressive than his professional life. I am sure he grows weary from time to time with all that he carries but you would never know it by looking at him. My Uncle Gary is the third most important man that I have looked up to, coming only after my Big Daddy (grandfather) and my father. Thomas Hopkins (Brother): Yes I am very proud of Gary. Gary is “good people”. We were all smart but not everyone had the stick-to-itiveness to actually go to school and get their degree. It wasn’t just because of basketball that he went to college. Gary is [all about] family first. He takes care of people- nieces, nephews, and his mama. He doesn’t talk about it a lot, he just does it. We know that if we need something he will make sure we are taken care of. He does more for [our] mama than all of us put together. He is really a good guy. Keith Campbell (Brother): Of course I am proud of him (Gary) he was always smart and learned from all of his siblings. I never had to worry about him [because] I always knew he was going to be and do [well]. One thing that let me know he would be successful was his laugh! It is the one thing that stands out; it is very contagious. With a laugh like that, who wouldn’t be successful? Charlotte (Hopkins) Fowler (Sister): I am proud of Gary in his career because I know that he is a very good Boss! He is fair in all things that he does. In his personal life, he takes care of his mother and lots of nieces and nephews when he can. He also made a good choice in choosing his wife who is caring and giving just like he is. I love my brother!!
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The Woman Behind The Man:
The Real Boss
by Ima Wife
HER BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORK IS IMPACTFUL
The four photos below, of the fierce and talented woman behind the man, highlight Alicia Moore Hopkins, also know as “A’. She works quietly behind the scenes to keep Best Boss Magazine’s featured boss happy. She is known about town as one of the “A-Listers” and she is a celebrity in her own right. Sure, she works to make Mr. Hopkins laugh and smile as she keeps busy in her respective Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Links, Incorporated, and other service and professional organizational roles; but, she is no stranger to achievements in her own career. For instance, like her famous and gifted AKA predecessors, Coretta Scott King, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks, she also gives back time and money to better the lives of others. The women of AKA Sorority, Inc. and Links Incorporated are beautiful, smart and graceful as is evident when examining the work of the stunning Associate Professor, Dr. Moore-Hopkins, a Cargill Endowed Professor at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. But, please don’t let the polish and poise fool you. This woman is in the trenches working to serve her community! Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Links, Incorporated have responded to the world’s increasing complexity and continue to empower communities through service initiatives and progressive programs which have a direct impact on the Black community. Both organizations give back to the community through service projects primarily relating to education, family, health, and business. For example, AKA is a sorority in which scholarship, community service, and humanity are all highly valued, as is shown by the sorority's continued efforts to serve all mankind. As well, the Links, Incorporated members contribute more than 500,000 documented hours of community service annually and strive to meet the needs of others through global efforts of service. She is the boss who supports our BBM featured Boss.
Alicia Lorraine Moore-Hopkins
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BBM interviewed many of the people who work directly and indirectly with Gary at GC Services. Though they were EXTREMELY busy, they gave us some candid responses. Here is what they said . . . Timothy Frankford: Gary never seems to get too upset or fired up about anything negative that is happening to the business. He is very calm, cool and collected. He seems to save his energies for the things he can control and for the good things that happen. He is a very positive thinker. Jay Barnes: I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with Gary over the last few years. Gary is a great source of information on the student loan industry and is very supportive of the sales process. Having Gary as a resource for our clients has also been invaluable. Lonnie Shanley: Gary is the kind of boss who gets the job done by creating an atmosphere of trust and confidence in his subordinates motivating them to do their job well. He doesn’t take himself or any situation too seriously and laughs at work 9 more than anyone I know.
Chris Miller: Gary is a leader, not a manager. [He is] a man of few words, but when he speaks you listen because of the knowledge and clarity of his message. He instills confidence in his teams to perform without thought of failure. He has a calming effect over challenging situations where one could easily overreact and knee jerk. When discussing challenging situations, he has an open mind and thought process that assists you in making the right decision without fear. In addition, he needs to give the movie Dune the respect it deserves. Scott Delude: Working for Mr. Hopkins is anything but a box of chocolates (in Tom Hanks Voice) You always know what to expect and the few surprises you may face are always welcome. Gary has a great sense of humor, shares his full encyclopedia of knowledge and makes you feel more like a peer than a subordinate.
Virginia Van De Ryt: Gary is an amazing boss. He truly changed my family and my life offering the opportunity to come to GC Services. For that, I am indebted to him forever. Gary allows me the space needed to lead but when necessary, he is always available for guidance. On numerous occasions, he has not been shy in needing to “re-explain to me the CPCS” or anyone else for that matter. Working for Gary is always fun and I look forward to working for him for many more! Joseph Murphy: When I think of Gary, I think of someone who cares for and is invested in his employees. Gary likes to get to know individuals on a personal and professional level. He listens well, shows interest in employees and utilizes employee feedback. Although Gary is the boss, he feeds into the importance of each individual and creates a great balanced team feel. It is truly a pleasure to work with Gary. Timothy Hannon: Gary shows a personal investment, not only with his direct reporting management team; but when he comes to visit the NSC’s, he gets involved with the local level management as well. I am always pleasantly surprised when Gary holds meetings with the local management as I know the managers really enjoy the ability to interact, ask questions and get answers directly from the source. Gary provides a higher level of insight and knowledge regarding the student loan industry. He is always willing to share his knowledge and provide guidance to any level of manager.
Brian Gentry: Gary is a great leader, both in our industry and in our organization. He sets a standard of excellence in everything he does, and empowers those around him to achieve that standard. He is a pleasure to work both for and with him. Dave Finney: It wasn’t until Gary joined the GC team in midyear 2006 that we realized the full potential of what we could achieve with the creation of the new Student Loan Division. My entire career with GC Services has been working Student Loans only, and when I started working for GC in 1997 we only had about 50 Student Loan employees and one office in Columbus. With Gary as our Senior Executive leader, we have achieved new milestones that many of us in the early years only dreamed were possible. As the years passed, we shattered all previous records for our Division. We know this because Gary reminds us at every Student Loan Meeting with his slide show of the statistics. What we don’t see in this slide show are Gary’s college basketball stats. I would have to guess those were record breaking also. I personally have benefited greatly from the direct insight and guidance Gary has provided me and my Senior Manager Chris Miller I have been to several client and vendor conferences with Gary over the years. I noticed at these conference at some point during at least one group session that Gary’s opinion/ guidance is asked on a topic. Gary is like a celebrity within the Student Loan industry, everyone wants to talk with Gary. While I have not witnessed him signing any autographs, it almost has that type of atmosphere. The most important autographs I seek from Gary are the ones that approve my bonuses, pay raises and promotions. To see how much individuals outside of GC look to Gary for guidance reminds all how fortunate we are to have Gary as our leader. 10
Early Leadership Through Sports Gary Hopkins, a native of Austin, Texas, attended LC Anderson High School. After graduating, he attended Howard Payne University (1977-81), the alma mater of the author of "Conan the Barbarian“, where he was an NAIA First Team AllAmerican with 1,573 points scored in his career. Gary had the highest GPA in the conference and is also still the LSC record holder for free throws made in a game (23) and free throw attempts in a game (26). He was a campus leader and graduated from 9 Howard Payne with a BBA (Business) and a minor in History.
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Leader, Learner, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Son, Friend, Godfather
A Tribute Poem
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“Doing special favors In a dozen different ways Looking out for others With no thought Of thanks or praise Treating colleagues like a family, Setting good examples, too These things make a wonderful boss And they all apply to you!� - Author Unknown
On being named one of the Top Ranked U.S. Executives by the National Council of American Executives!
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Special Gratitude To: Chris Miller Timothy Frankford Jay Barnes Adrienne Hopkins
Dave Finney Virginia Van De Ryt Joseph Murphy Lonnie Shanley Thomas Hopkins
Mrs. Esther Hopkins Dr. Alicia Moore Hopkins
Timothy Hannon Brian Gentry Scott Delude Keith Campbell
Charlotte (Hopkins) Fowler Rhonni Bianca Hill
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Roberson, II. Hollywood Events Bling Things All members of Gary’s Family and his Friends
Best Boss Magazine is brought to you by
Bling Things distributor of the limited edition Alpha Kappa Alpha Custom Bottle Water Embellished w/ Swarovski Crystals