BRAINERD — Crow Wing County will soon have a new county attorney for the first time in more than three decades.
Assistant County Attorney Kelsey Hopps will replace County Attorney Don Ryan when he retires in mid-September. County commissioners unanimously appointed Hopps at their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Hopps will be the first woman to ever serve as county attorney in Crow Wing history.
Ryan was first elected in 1994 and served nearly 31 years in the role.
In late July, Ryan made the emotional announcement of his plans to step down. He applied the analogy the one of his hobbies — sailing — when informing the Crow Wing County Board of his plans.
"The time has come for me to trim my sails, adjust my tack and sail away into retirement," Ryan said. "My helming of the Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office will end at 4:30 on Sept. 12, 2025, after which a new skipper will take the helm and guide the office into the future."
Hopps will fill the remainder of Ryan’s term through the end of next year, and an election will be in November 2026.
"I’m super excited to step into this new role and continue the momentum that Mr. Ryan has pushed through for 31 years," she said Tuesday. "And [I'm] just looking forward to working with all of you and working for and with the people of Crow Wing County. So thank you very much."
According to a news release, Hopps has worked as an assistant county attorney in the Crow Wing County Attorney’s office since March 2018. She previously worked as a law clerk in Crow Wing County Ninth Judicial District.
Hopps has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from St. Cloud State University and a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul. She is following in her grandfather Glen Gustafson's footsteps by working as an attorney in the Brainerd Lakes area. Hopps spent her childhood coming to the area to spend time at a family cabin on Lake Hubert. She and her husband Adam have four children.
The county stated Hopps will work closely with Ryan until his retirement to ensure a smooth transition.
“We knew the retirement was coming down the pipeline, and we took a close look at the deep bench strength of our staff and asked them to apply. Encouraging internal applications reflects our commitment to a healthy organizational culture and the incredible talent we’ve cultivated over the years,” stated County Board Chair Steve Barrows in the release.
“The board is extremely confident in Kelsey’s ability to take the baton and ensure a smooth transition into this role. Her leadership will continue the upward trajectory of the County Attorney’s office, and we trust she will carry forward that responsibility with integrity, professionalism and vision.”
