Mayor

Name: William A. Bell Sr.

Age: 68

Residence:  Birmingham

Political experience: Mayor of Birmingham, 2009-present; Jefferson County Commission, 2008-2010; ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Birmingham, 2007, 2003 and 1999; Birmingham City Council, District 5, 2005-2009 and 1989-2001; interim mayor of Birmingham, 1999; Birmingham City Council, president, 1997-2001; ran for Jefferson County Commission, 1994; Birmingham City Council, at-large member, 1978-1989

Professional experience: Probation officer, Family Court; sales consultant, Xerox Corporation; special assistant to the vice president, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Civic experience: Founding member, Birmingham Construction Industry Authority; founding member, 100 Black Men; board member, National League of Cities; board member, Metropolitan Advisory Coalition; member, Birmingham Retired Teachers Association; member, Operation New Birmingham

Education: Miles College, doctorate in jurisprudence; University of Alabama at Birmingham, master’s degree in psychology and guidance and counseling; John Carroll High School, 1967

Top contributors: Jorden Industries, Inc., $15,000; Compass Bancshares, Inc. PAC, $10,000; John J. McMahon Jr., $10,000; M. Miller Gorrie, $10,000; The Committee for Good Government, $10,000

Main issues: Bell’s website lists his administration’s accomplishments as follows: he worked with President Obama to designate portions of Birmingham’s Civil Rights District as a national historic monument; he spearheaded the “Operation Green Wave” program to combat dilapidation in neighborhoods; he developed projects including the Negro League Baseball Museum, the Birmingham Crossplex, the Uptown District, Regions Field, Ensley Public Safety Complex and Pratt City Super Block; he has overseen $1 billion in economic development investments throughout the city; he created a citywide lighting project; garnered more than $25 million in federal funding for the Hope VI project; supported the upcoming TopGolf facility; and has overseen $105 million in neighborhood bond projects over the past four years.

Campaign: williambell2017.com

William A. Bell’s campaign did not respond to requests to fill out BirminghamWatch’s questionnaire.