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County announces new hires
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Bryan County has announced the recent hiring of two employees – Mark A. Hopkins as engineering project manager and Brandon Braziel as assistant public works director.

Hopkins’ new responsibilities include working with a team of seasoned professionals in assuring all projects for the county meet all required ordinances as defined by the Bryan County Commission, permitting, engineering design, bid solicitation, coordination of contractor construction, and project management. Hopkins’ work history includes a career with The Southern Company and Gulfstream Aerospace, managing power generation facilities, managing projects, handling fiscal responsibilities in construction, working in business development and engineering, and interacting with various government agencies.

One of his most rewarding career experiences, according to Hopkins, was the revitalization of a retired 1912 power station to assist The Southern Company in achieving the required peak power requirements of The Georgia Public Service Commission.

Hopkins is a local Savannahnian, an avid fisherman, and his hobbies include boat restorations, cooking, and spending free time with his family and Labrador retriever.

He currently serves as president of The Irish Heritage Society in Savannah and is an active member of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

Braziel graduated from Georgia Tech in 2011 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Braziel’s work experience includes working for Schlumberger as a Cement Design Engineer as well as several positions within the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), one of the biggest counties in the United States.

Some of his responsibilities with the HCFCD included monitoring demolition, construction, and material testing, efficiently managing over 300 development jobs, and developing a training program to further educate HCFCD employees on construction standards and specifications. Conflict resolution, budget forecasting, financial negotiation, public speaking, are some of the many skills Braziel has acquired over the course of his career. “We are fortunate to have Mark and Brandon join Bryan County’s staff; their qualifications and experiences make them great additions to our growing team,” Bryan County Administrator Ben Taylor said. “Without a doubt, their work history, training, and leadership skills have equipped them to assist our Engineering and Public Works departments, and we congratulate them on these well-deserved appointments.

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