About A.C. Roper

Lieutenant General (R), Former Birmingham Police Chief, Speaker

A.C. Roper has forged an extraordinary path as a transformative leader whose influence spans local grassroots initiatives to critical national leadership roles. With a career defined by service, innovation, and excellence, he has garnered national recognition, including appearances on respected platforms such as HBO, ESPN, and other major media outlets.

As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of A.C. Roper & Associates, he leads a leadership consulting firm specializing in executive coaching, crisis management, and training workshops. His focus areas include strategic leadership development, crisis communications, and fostering team cohesion. A.C. is also a sought-after keynote speaker, offering transformative insights and fostering meaningful community engagement.

A decorated Citizen-Soldier, A.C.’s military career spanned an impressive 42 years, culminating in his historic promotion to Lieutenant General in 2021, making him the first African American in U.S. Army Reserve history to achieve this rank. He retired in 2024 as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Northern Command, overseeing homeland defense and disaster response. His tenure included addressing high-stakes challenges such as North Korean missile launches, Russian long-range aviation, the Chinese high-altitude balloon, and operations supporting over 80,000 Afghan evacuees. For his distinguished service, A.C. earned numerous accolades, including the Combat Action Badge and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal—the Department of Defense’s highest joint service decoration.

In civilian life, A.C. dedicated 33 years to law enforcement, including 10 years as Chief of Police for the Birmingham Police Department. Under his leadership, the department underwent a transformative reorganization, resulting in historic crime reductions and enhanced community trust. His efforts positioned Birmingham as a national model for community policing and citizen engagement.

A.C. holds a Bachelor of Science from Troy University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He was also conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from Oakland City University. His education includes prestigious training at the FBI National Academy, the FBI National Executive Institute, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and the FEMA Crisis Leadership Vanguard Fellowship. A.C. has also studied international counter-terrorism strategies in Israel and served as an adjunct professor and lecturer, teaching strategic leadership, ethics, and credibility nationally and internationally.

A.C. is passionately committed to coaching, mentoring, and empowering others to achieve balanced living, impactful leadership, and a lasting legacy. Alongside his wife, Edith, he co-leads Rest in Grace Ministries. Celebrating 40 years of marriage, they take pride in their partnership and the accomplishments of their two exceptional daughters.