senior Leadership
DIVISION STAFF
James F. Coleman
Major General, Commanding
MG James F. Coleman has served his country in uniform for nearly five decades, including 36 years in the USAF and MDANG retiring at the rank of colonel. MG Coleman specialized in managing military jet aircraft maintenance and logistics functions at bases around the world. His deployments include combat assignments in both Vietnam and Afghanistan. He had a very successful career with Northrop Grumman involved in classified electronics and communications development and installation. In 2015, MG Coleman was commissioned brigadier general in the Maryland Military Department, brigadier general, U.S. VRC in 2017, and Major General, U.S. VRC in 2020. He has commanded the U.S. VRC since its inception.
COL Carolyn C. Copp
Chief of Staff
COL Carolyn Copp has served her country as a volunteer in uniform for nearly a decade. Commissioned in 2011 by the Maryland Military Department, COL Copp served in the 121st Engineer Regiment and then as Plans & Training officer for the MDARNG JFHQ. She was appointed Chief of Staff, U.S. VRC, in 2017. Her civilian career included corporate auditor, product manager and pricing planner for Xerox Corporation. Subsequently COL Copp served 22 years as Board Chairman with more than 10 years as President and CEO of both cellular and wire line telephone companies. COL Copp is committed to cultivating strong partnerships with governmental, military and non-profit organizations. She earned private pilot and EMT licenses.
Raymond W. Copp
Brigadier General, Deputy Commander - Operations
BG Raymond W. Copp has served his country in uniform for nearly five decades as a New York State Police Lieutenant, PA Regional Chief of Police, U.S. Air Force Reserve, VTANG, MDARNG and U.S. Army Reserve. He served as battalion chaplain for the 1297th CSSB, 70th Training Regiment, APG, and retired as Command Chaplain (O-6) for the Maryland Military Department. He was designated USAF Basic Pilot (1971) and Master Aviator (2010). He holds Air Transport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor certificates with single, multi-engine and instrument ratings. His deployments include the International Counterterrorism Task II (1990-1992). An Orthodox priest, he served as U.S. VRC Command Chaplain (2017-2020) until promotion to Deputy Division Commander in 2020.
Edward Earl Blackwell
(CH) Lieutenant Colonel
Command Chaplain (Acting)
LTC Blackwell currently serves the U.S. VRC as Acting Command Chaplain. He began his military career as a Medical Service Specialist with the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1979. With degrees in Counseling Psychology, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry, LTC Blackwell has been a church pastor for 34 years. Serving the Maryland Military Department and Maryland Army National Guard as chaplain for the 70th Training Regiment, Aberdeen, MD, he joined U.S. VRC in 2019. Currently, LTC Blackwell serves as Senior Chaplain for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Police.