Sergeant Major Lopez, a native of Nogales, Arizona, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on December 26, 2000 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Following recruit training, he attended Personnel Administration School and was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty 0121 (Personnel Clerk).
After graduation from Personnel Administration School in June 2001, he reported to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. During this time, he was meritoriously promoted to corporal. In 2002, he was attached to Battery A, 1st Battalion, 12th
Marines and deployed under the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan. During this time he was selected as the 3rd
Battalion, 12th Marines Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter.
In April 2004, he reported to Alpha Company, 6th Communications Battalion for Inspector-Instructor duty on Long Island, New York. He served as the administration chief and was promoted to Sergeant. In February 2006, he was selected as the 6th Communications Battalion, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.
In April 2007, Sergeant Lopez reported to 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, California to serve as an administration chief.
In October 2007, Sergeant Lopez was attached to Police Transition Team-21, I MEF (FWD), RCT-5, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion where he deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He served as an Iraqi police advisor and communications chief in Al Rutbah, Iraq. He was promoted to staff sergeant on May 1, 2008.
In January 2010, Staff Sergeant Lopez reported to RS Phoenix, 8th Marine Corps District to serve as a canvassing recruiter. During this time he was selected as “Rookie Recruiter of the Year.” He served as the SNCOIC of RSS Tempe and RSS Arrowhead, Arizona. During his time serving as the recruiting substation SNCOIC, both stations were awarded RS Phoenix “Station of the Year” (Large). He was meritoriously promoted to gunnery sergeant on June 2, 2011.
In January 2013, he reported to MATSG-21, Pensacola, Florida to serve as a personnel chief. In April 2014, Gunnery Sergeant Lopez was assigned as the Group Gunnery Sergeant for MATSG-21. He was frocked to first sergeant in May 2015.
In May 2015, First Sergeant Lopez reported to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, California to serve as Company First Sergeant, Company B. During this time he deployed to Camp Manion, Iraq with SPMAGTF-CR-CC 16.1 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Upon completion of a successful tour and deployment, First Sergeant Lopez assumed the duties as the Weapons Company First Sergeant for 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. In April 2017 he deployed AOB-E, Syria, Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, and Al Jaber, Kuwait, with SPMAGTF-CR-CC 17.2 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
In December 2017, First Sergeant Lopez reported to Wounded Warrior Battalion-West to serve as the Detachment First Sergeant for Detachment Bravo, Naval Medical Center, San Diego.
On November 1, 2019, First Sergeant Lopez was promoted to Sergeant Major and was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to serve as the Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron Sergeant Major.
On May 25th, 2021, reported to Marine Aircraft Group 12 to serve as the VMFA-242 Sergeant Major.
On April 21st, 2023, Sergeant Major Lopez reported to Marine Aircraft Group 12 to serve as the Group Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Lopez’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (with gold star in lieu of fourth award), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with gold star in lieu of second award with a combat distinguishing device), the Navy and Maine Corps Achievement Medal (with gold star in lieu of fifth award), and the Combat Action Ribbon (with gold star in lieu of second award). He holds a Bachelor's of Science in Communication (cum laude) from Arizona State University.
He is married to the former Katherine Nicole Hollarbush and has five children, Anabelle (21), Nicolas (18), Mia (12), Christian (4) and Isabella (2).