A native of Cleveland Ohio, Captain Kopacz enlisted in the Navy in 1961. He served in the submarine force aboard USS ENTEMEDOR (SS 340) and USS THOMAS JEFFERSON (SSBN 618) Gold Crew until 1968. Captain Kopacz received his commission through the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program at North Carolina State University where he earned an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering.
After commissioning in 1972, Captain Kopacz reported to USS VOGE (DE 1047) where he served as Navy Tactical Data System Officer, Electronic Material Officer and Combat Information Center (CIC) Officer. Following this tour, Captain Kopacz served as Commissioning CIC Officer aboard USS PAUL F. FOSTER (DD 964), Commissioning Weapons Officer aboard USS O'BRIEN (DD 975) and Combat Systems Officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron FIVE.
Subsequently, he attended Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Following graduate school, Captain Kopacz served as Commissioning Executive Officer aboard USS FORD (FFG 54) and then at the Pentagon on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Engineering and Systems in the area of Space, Command and Control, earning a subspecialty in Command and Control Acquisition.
His next at sea assignments include command of USS RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG 60) and USS CURTS (FFG 38). Captain Kopacz is a 1993 graduate of the National War College and his most recent tour was with the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-8 Force Structure, Resources, Assessments and Requirements. He presently commands USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) currently assigned to the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Yokosuka, Japan.
His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2) and Navy Expeditionary Medal.
Captain Kopacz is married to the former Ann Eloise Karnowski of Bryan, Texas.
