ABA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Tuscaloosa Mayor named 2012 ABA Citizen of the Year

The purpose of this award is to honor and pay tribute to a citizen of Alabama for distinguished and honorable public service, and outstanding contributions to the well being, prosperity and progress of the state.

ABA's Citizen of the Year is someone who has enhanced and enriched the lives of Alabamians by leadership and unselfish service to his or her community and the state. This leadership can be recognition of outstanding contributions to education, business, professional, civic, philanthropic or religious ideals that have benefited Alabama citizens.

While the award itself carries a date, it is not primarily devoted to one single achievement in a specific year. It is designed to award continuing service and leadership.

The 2012 ABA Citizen of the Year is WALT MADDOX

On November 2, 2009, Walter Maddox was sworn in for his second term as Tuscaloosa's 36th Mayor. Since his first inauguration, Mayor Maddox has led initiatives to increase economic development, improve customer service and provide quality pre-k education for academically at-risk four-year old children. He plans to continue these efforts throughout his second term.

Mayor Maddox is a Tuscaloosa native and graduated from Central High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science and master's degree in Public Administration from the UAB. While at UAB, Mayor Maddox was a four-year letter-winner on the football team.

The majority of Mayor Maddox's professional career has been spent in public education. From 1996 – 2001, he served as a Field Director with the Alabama Education Association. In 2001, he was appointed Executive Director of Personnel for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. In that same year, he was elected as City Councilman for the Sixth District.

Mayor Maddox is married to Stephanie Roberts Maddox. He has two children: Trey and Taylor. His favorite hobby is running and he has completed several marathons and half-marathons.

Education:
· Masters of Public Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham
· Bachelors of Arts, Political Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham
· Graduate Central High School, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Professional Experience:
· Councilman, District Six, City of Tuscaloosa
· Director of Personnel, Tuscaloosa City Schools October 2001 - September 2005
· Field Director, Alabama Education Association
   July 1997 - February 2001 (Tuscaloosa)
   April 1996 - June 1997 (Muscle Shoals)

Religious Affiliation:
· Forest Lake United Methodist Church

Honors:
· Completed 2010 Mercedes Marathon
· Represented Graduating Class for UAB's 40th Anniversary Convocation, September 2009
· Completed 2009 Mardi Gras Marathon
· MLK Realizing the Dream 2009 Call to Conscience Award
· Alabama Association of Conservation District's 2008 Outstanding Elected Official Award
· Alabama Chapter of National Association
· of Social Workers- Elected Public Official of the Year 2008
· West Alabama Unit of National Association of Social Workers -Elected Public Official of the Year 2008
· Leadership Alabama Board Member
· 2007 Leadership Alabama Graduate
· YMCA of Tuscaloosa Board Member
· Omicron Delta Kappa Society Member, Inducted April 2007
· Office of School Readiness Award for Pre- K Leadership, April 2007
· Nucor Steel - Man of Steel Award, 2006
· Earned the 2006 State Outstanding Achievement in Community Development Award from Congressman Artur Davis
· Completed the 2006 St. Jude Marathon
· Completed the 2006 Mercedes Half-Marathon
· Completed the 2005 Disney World Marathon
· Department of Government, MPA Student of the Year, May 2004
· Alabama Leadership Initiative (Leadership Alabama), April 2004
· Pi Alpha Alpha, National Honor Society for Public Administration, May 2003
· Completed the 1999 Vulcan Marathon
· Kathryn Morgan Scholarship in Public Speaking May 1995
· Davey Allison Memorial Scholarship, October 1993
· UAB Football Letter-winner, 1991-1994