KINGMAN – Eddie Lopez has just been promoted to the position of Financial Services Manager for Mohave County.

He was born in Lake Havasu City, but spent most of his life in Bullhead City, Golden Valley and Kingman. He believes that even though all communities share proximity, each has its own vibe.

“Lake Havasu is the most fun and Kingman is the most relaxing and laid back,” said Lopez.

Lopez graduated from Kingman High School in 2004 and graduated with an associate degree in business from Mohave Community College. Also, while attending MCC, he was elected President of his Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He then graduated from Governors College with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He then started his accounting career in 2011 at Kingman Unified School District.

Lopez wasn’t done yet when it came to his education. He felt the need and desire to pursue education and career advancement and move to a more urban setting. , the big city was the logical place. He made his way to Las Vegas, Nevada and made a successful, rewarding move that eventually took ten years of his life.

Lopez attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, earning a master’s degree in accounting, while also working as a senior accountant at the CPA firm in Las Vegas. He completed his master’s degree and also obtained his Chartered Accountant license. Due to his excellent grades, being the best in his class and being highly recommended by UNLV professors, he was quickly hired, had an 8 hour interview and was one of his in the ‘Big 4’ Global Accounting. Hired by the renowned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) firm. – Consulting company.

It was a hard job with long hours. The job required him to work 60 to 80 hours a week, and he traveled a lot. Then a child was born and he and his wife Katie decided a change was needed. He then began his government accounting career, starting with his district of Las Vegas Valley Water where he was a senior accountant for five years.

Lopez and his wife were enjoying life in Las Vegas, but they really wanted to go home. It was last year when family and friends called them back and returned to Kingman. He feels he has gained great skill and knowledge in Las Vegas during his decade, which has proven to be invaluable.

“It gave me a broader experience of life in general,” he said. “I’ve come to appreciate small towns. Overall, I prefer Kingman.”

Once settled back in the home the couple already owned, Lopez began working in Mojave County in 2022 as an accountant senior. Among his staff of 20 members, his primary responsibilities include accounts payable and receivable, payroll accounting, and financial reporting. He oversees the financial statement preparation and audit process.

Lopez and his wife live in Kingman with their young son Dean. Both Katie and Dean can be said to be his first year students at Kingman Academy School of Learning. No, seriously. She’s a teacher and he’s a student in another classroom, but he’s in his first year. The family also has a golden retriever named Ginger and a black lab Zuko. Lopez enjoys mountain biking and hiking in his spare time and says there’s no doubt that Mojave County will be his forever home.

“We’re pretty prepared to stay here. I love the fact that my work has an impact on the community.” Indeed, it feels good, ”he said.

(This is one of a series of profiles for Mojave County employees by the County Communications Department.)