Command Sgt. Maj. Stopper has an Associate in Applied Science in Administrative Management degree from Excelsior College. His military education includes cavalry scout, combat engineer and infantryman skills training, noncommissioned officer courses, the U.S. Air Force Load Planners Course, Battle Staff noncommissioned officer course and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

Command Sgt. Maj. Stopper began his military career as a cavalry scout in Troop E, 105th Cavalry, Wisconsin Army National Guard, in April 1979. He became the unit's full-time unit clerk in December 1985. After some 11 years of progress through the non-commissioned officer ranks, he transferred to the 173rd Engineer Battalion in November 1996 as battalion operations sergeant. He was assigned as operations sergeant major for 2nd Battalion, 128th Infantry, in September 2001 and, except for brief service with the 64th Troop Command, stayed with that battalion through its deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2005 to November 2006. On his return, he was assigned as command sergeant major of the 64th Troop Command. In June 2007 he was assigned as command sergeant major of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

Command Sgt. Maj. Stopper's military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and many others.

He is a member of the Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association, American Legion Post 26, Whitetails Unlimited, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He lives in Baraboo, Wis.