Bill Ham Jr.
Former mayor of Auburn, Alabama
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Forrester Ham Jr. (born September 26, 1953)[1] is an American politician who served as the mayor of Auburn, Alabama from 1998 to 2018.[2]
Bill Ham Jr. | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mayor of Auburn, Alabama | |
| In office 1998–2018 | |
| Preceded by | Jan Dempsey |
| Succeeded by | Ron Anders Jr. |
| Auburn city council — Ward 4, Place 2[a] | |
| In office 1986–1998 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 26, 1953 |
| Spouse |
Carol Susan (m. 1979) |
Early life and education
Bill Ham attended Auburn University in 1972, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in recreational management in 1977.[3][4][5][6]
Political career
In 1986, Ham first got into the public sphere in Auburn after the mayor at the time, Jan Dempsey, suggested that he make a run for city council, and he did.[7] That year he defeated J. Quillin for Auburn's District 4 council seat where he served until 1998.[8][9][7] In 1994, he was voted in as Mayor Pro Tempore by the city council.[7]
Ham ran for mayor in 1998, holding office until 2018.[2] One of his major accomplishments as mayor was helping create the Auburn Research Park which is home to The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and other businesses, providing a space for collaboration between Auburn University and the city.[10][11]
Personal life
Ham married Carol Ham on June 9,1979.[12] She taught with Auburn City Schools for over 30 years.[3] Ham's father Bill Ham Sr. also graduated from Auburn University and served on the Auburn City Council.[4]
Note
- When he was first elected, the seat was titled District 4, Post 2 before being changed to Ward 4, Place 2 in 1990.