Colonel Armando (Mandy) Lopez has devoted a lifetime of dedicated and continuous service to the Regiment, having served the Chemical Corps on active duty for over 25 years and continuing to serve the Regiment for more than 12 years in his private life as a leader in the CBRN defense industry and a volunteer in support of the Regiment and Dragon Soldiers.

As the first Director of the CBRN Directorate, Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Colonel Lopez was instrumental in establishing CBRN defenses for the Pentagon following the attack on September 11, 2001. He created and was responsible for the daily execution of the CBRN defense program that included the CBRNe surveillance and protection of the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As Commander of the U.S. Army Radford Ammunition Plant, he was responsible for and ensured the safety and maintenance of the entire U.S. Army Radford Ammunition Plant.

Following retirement, Colonel Lopez has been the primary driver in the planning and execution of the NDIA’s annual CBRN Defense Symposium. Lopez’s enduring contributions to the Chemical Corps are best exemplified in his role as President of the LTG Thomas W. Spoehr Chapter of the Chemical Corps Regimental Association (CCRA). In 2012, the National CCRA awarded him the CCRA Volunteer of the Year for his direct role in establishing a relief fund totaling over $18,000 for the Soldiers and families of Fort Leonard Wood that were impacted by a devastating tornado.

Colonel Lopez’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Army Meritorious Service Medal with 5 Oak leaf clusters.