Mayor Walter 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 UAB.

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. In 2009, he was elected mayor of Tuscaloosa.

Mayor Maddox has been nationally recognized for his crisis management following April 27, 2011, when an EF-4 tornado destroyed 12 percent of the city and severely damaged or destroyed 5,300 homes and businesses. The city itself suffered the loss of critical infrastructure including a fire station, police precinct, emergency management, environmental services, communications and numerous heavy equipment assets. The humanitarian impact was tragic with 53 fatalities, 1,200 injured, 7,000 jobs lost and over 8,000 citizens homeless.

In September 2012, Mayor Maddox was named Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County (the publication for state and local governments.)

In May 2013, he was elected president of the Alabama League of Municipalities.

Mayor Maddox has led initiatives to increase economic development, improve customer service with the implementation of Tuscaloosa 311 and provide quality pre-k education for academically at-risk four-year-old children.

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