Bernie Herpin
William B. "Bernie" Herpin, Jr. is a former member of Colorado Senate, serving from 2013 until 2015. A Republican, Herpin is a former member of the Colorado Springs, Colorado city council and a United States Navy veteran.
William B. "Bernie" Herpin, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Colorado Senate from the 11th district | |
| In office September 11, 2013 – January 7, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | John Morse |
| Succeeded by | Michael Merrifield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1943 (age 77) St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Linda Elaine (Bjornerud) Herpin |
| Profession | Colorado State Senator |
Herpin represented Senate District 11, which encompasses Manitou Springs, Colorado and eastern Colorado Springs.[1] On September 10, 2013, he defeated recalled Senator John Morse in a historic recall election—the first such election in Colorado history.[2]
Early life and career
Herpin was born in St. Petersburg, Florida in August 1943. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts degree in computer resource management from Webster University. Herpin and his wife Linda have three daughters and seven grandchildren and have resided in Colorado Springs, Colorado since 1962.[3]
Military service
In August 1965, Herpin enlisted in the United States Navy. After schooling and serving on the USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641), he was selected for the Navy Enlisted Scientific and Education Program and attended the University of Kansas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy.
Herpin served on board the USS John Marshall (SSBN-611), the USS Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601), and at the Naval Submarine Training Facility (Pacific) with duty stations in New London, CT; Charleston, SC; Vallejo, CA; and Pearl Harbor, HI. In 1980, he transferred to the US Air Force and was assigned to the Headquarters, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado. He retired from military service as a Captain in 1985 and that same year graduated from Webster University with a Master of Arts degree in Computer Resource Management.
Since 1985, Herpin has worked in the private-sector as a defense contractor supporting the Air Force, until leaving Lockheed Martin in December 2013 to serve as a Colorado State Senator.[4]
Colorado Springs City Council
Herpin was originally appointed to an at-large council seat in March 2006 to complete the term of a member who resigned. He was elected to a full term in April 2009 as the representative of District 4, the southeast quadrant of the city.[3]
Police volunteer
Herpin has served as a volunteer with the Colorado Springs Police Department for 30 years.[4] He is currently the Team Leader of the Colorado Springs Police Department Handicap Parking Services Unit and a member of the CSPD Stetson Hills Division's Speed Monitoring Team.
Colorado Senate
Per the wording of the recall ballot, Herpin replaced Senator John Morse on September 10, 2013 when Morse was recalled in the first legislative recall election in Colorado history; Morse was recalled by a margin of 51% to 49%.[5]
References
- "State Senate District 11". COMaps. Archived from the original on March 4, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
- "Senator Bernie Herpin Official Website". Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- "City of Colorado Springs - Bernie Herpin Biography". Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- "Senator Bernie Herpin Biography". Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- Lynn Barels, Kurtis Lee and Joey Bunch (September 10, 2013). "John Morse, Angela Giron ousted in historic Colorado recall election". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 11, 2013.