Birmingham City Council, District 9

Roderick Royal

Age: 52

Residence: Westchester neighborhood, Pratt City.

Political Experience: Birmingham City Council, 2001-2013; council president, 2009-2013; interim mayor, November 2009-January 2010.

Professional experience: Instructor, Miles College, 20 years; outreach counselor with local health clinic; pastor of local congregation; former U.S. Army officer with combat service in the Persian Gulf War; former police officer.

Civic experience: Scout master for troop at Tabernacle Baptist Church; former commander, American Legion Post 267; board member, A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club and Greater Birmingham Humane Society; team member, United Way visiting allocations.

Education: Tuskegee University, bachelor’s degree in political science, 1987; Webster University, master of public administration.

Top contributors: Roderick Royal Campaign, $1,000; Steel City Services, $500; Jerry and A.M. Jones, $500; Gilchrist Davis Law, $450; Winston Cooks LLC, $250.

Main issues: Top concerns and priorities are homicides and property crimes; school supplies and teaching units; access to larger grocers; delivery of city services; employment issues, including underemployment and chronic unemployment.