A Born Political Candidate
GARY RICHARDSON - BIOGRAPHY
Born in Birmingham Alabama, Gary Richardson is married to the former Willamena Rambo and is the father of three sons and three daughters. Gary is a 1976 graduate of Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham, Alabama.
Gary is the oldest of four children and while attending Jackson-Olin took an active interest in radio, particularly in electronics. Gary obtained his first radio job in radio in 1977 at WZZK/WJLD.
In 1987, Gary formed Richardson Broadcasting Corporation and bought his first radio station WJLD AM 1400 in Birmingham, AL. Richardson Broadcasting now owns and operates five radio stations and one television station. A 40-year broadcast veteran, Gary has held every position in radio on and off the air, including Chief Engineer - drawing on his strong background in electronics - and General Manager - utilizing his leadership and developing business skills. Since 1989, Gary has been hosting a daily morning talk program – “Morning Talk” - and for the past 30 years as a broadcast owner, he has defied all odds in a mega-corporate market, navigating his stations into what has become a powerful influence for progressive development in the Birmingham metropolitan area.
For ten years Gary was a classroom teacher at Jess Lanier High School where he taught Electronics inspiring students the way he was inspired. Gary is still employed with the Bessemer City School System where he heads the Technology department.
Gary holds a Master of Education degree in Technical Education from Alabama A&M University, Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology from Excelsior College in Albany NY, Bachelor of Business Administration from Faulkner University in Montgomery Al and two Associate degrees from Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham Al.
Gary is actively involved in his community having received numerous awards for community service and business. Gary currently serves as President of the Conference of Black Mayors (National), President of the Midfield Voters League, Past President of the Jefferson County Mayor’s Association, President of the Board of Directors for (JCCEO) Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity, the Board of Commissioners of Red Mountain Park Commission, Past Member Board of Directors for the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, Chairman, Alabama Chapter of the National Business League. Gary previously served as President of the Alabama Conference of Black Mayors.
In 2004, he was elected to his current position as Mayor of the City of Midfield, Alabama, the first African-American elected as Mayor. Gary was re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Garyismember of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated.
Gary is a member of Faith Chapel ChristianChurch, and attributes all of his success to his faith in his lord and savior Jesus Christ.
EDUCATION:
Master of Education in Technical Education, Alabama A&M University
Normal, AL (May 2001)
Bachelor of Business Administration, Faulkner University
Montgomery, AL (May 1991)
Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology
Excelsior College, Albany NY (USNY) (December 2007)
Associate in Applied Science in Electronic Engineering Technology
Jefferson State Community College
Birmingham, AL (February 1984)
Associate in Applied Science in Mass Communications
Jefferson State Community College
Birmingham, Al (February 1984)
PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS:
Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer (SBE)
Certification No. 50856
Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist (SBE)
Certification No. 81026
Master Technician AM/FM (NARTE)
Certification No. T1-00642
Certified Electronics Technician - Journeyman (ISCET)
Registration No. AL127
FCC General Radio/Telephone Operator’s License w/ Radar
License No. PG-GB-059955
State of Alabama Class A Professional Teacher’s Certificate
State of Alabama Level 5 Career Technical Teacher’s Certificate
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Society of Broadcast Engineers (Senior Member)
Alabama Educational Technology Association
National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers
International Society of Certified Electronic Technicians
Alabama Broadcasters Association
National Association of Broadcasters
Association for Career and Technical Education
Alabama Educational Technology Association
National Education Association
Alabama Education Association
Jefferson County Mayors Association
West Jefferson Mayors Alliance
EMPLOYMENT:
President/CEO/ Morning Talk Show Host- WJLD AM1400/FM104.1/WIXI AM 1360
1987 - Present (Richardson Broadcasting Corporation)
Duties: Responsible for the management and supervision of all employees,
host of a daily morning talk show (6-8am) Monday through Friday
System Technology Coordinator, (02/2005-Present)
Bessemer City Schools
Duties: Management of technology which includes entire networks, hundreds of computers and printers, and a host of other assorted electronic devices. Keeping track of all the technology inventory, conduct and maintain training and training schedules, attend technology meetings, write grants and acquire funding, introduce technology-integrated curriculum, Supervise technicians who repair, upgrade computers, install software, and troubleshoot networks.
Mayor (2004 – Present) 4th Term - Elected
City of Midfield
Duties: Chief Executive of the city, presides over the meetings of the City Council, signs all ordinances, resolutions and City Council minutes, submit a budget to the City Council for each fiscal year, administers the City's day-to-day activities and supervises the city department heads and officers.
Classroom Teacher (1995 – 2005)
Bessemer City Schools
Duties: Taught classes in DC and AC circuitry, PC Repair,
Analog devices, microprocessors, communication systems and digital
Electronics and Radio and TV Broadcasting to high school students grades 9-12
Electronics Instructor (1998 – 1999)
ITT Technical Institute - Birmingham Al (night school)
Duties: Taught fundamental AC and DC circuitry to adult students, prepared test,
evaluated and observed laboratory performance.
General Manager (1985 – 1987)
(American Trust Broadcasting Corporation)
Duties: Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the station including managing the various departments, scheduling on and off-air staff, dealing with promotions and other advertising issues as well as ensuring that the station follows FCC regulations and guidelines. I worked as a liaison between the station owner and the employees to make sure that all employees are following the goals of the owners with regards to the type of station and level of professionalism.
Contract Broadcast Engineer since 1984
Duties: Perform all engineering functions for various radio stations, such the design, maintenance, installation, logging, calibration, purchase, and testing of audio, radio frequency, and computer systems, and to ensure full compliance with FCC rules.
U.S Army Reserves (1976 – 1982)
348th Engineer Group
Duties: Communications Specialist operated and maintained radio electronic communications equipment for military use.
Weekend Camera Operator/TV Production (1977- 1982)
WAPI-TV (Channel 13)
Duties: Operated studio camera for live news and commercial production.
Chief Broadcast Engineer/ Radio Announcer (1978-1984)
WZZK-FM (Johnston Broadcasting Corporation)
Duties: Maintained broadcast automation systems for the studio and automatic transmission systems for the transmitter plant and performed live radio broadcasts.
CIVIC AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Chairmen of the Board – Jefferson County Emergency Management Authority
President – JCCEO Board Of Directors
President- The Conference of Black Mayors National Organization
Past President (served two terms)- Jefferson County Mayors Association
Past Vice President - Jefferson County Mayors Association
Past President - Midfield Neighborhood Association Inc.
President - Midfield Voters League
Past Chairman - Advisory Board, Broadcasting Program, Jefferson State Community College
Commissioner - Red Mountain Park Commission
Member - Regional Planning Commission
Member - Metropolitan Planning Organization, Policy Committee
Member - West Jefferson Mayors Alliance
ACCOMPLISHMENTS & AWARDS:
1987 - At age 30, became one of America’s youngest radio station owners
1989 - Named to “Top 40 under 40” by Birmingham Business Journal
1990 - Named to “Top 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame” by Birmingham Business Journal
1999 - Named to Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid’s Transition team
2002 - “Communication Leadership Award” by Toastmasters International
2003 – “Media Pioneer Award” by the United Negro College Fund
2003 – “Broadcast Digital Pioneer Award” by Ibiquity Digital Corp.
2004 – First African American Elected Mayor - The City Of Midfield, Alabama
2004 – “Leadership Awards, Proclamations, and/or Resolutions" from Congressman Artur Davis, The Alabama State Senate, The Alabama House of Representatives, The Jefferson County Commission, The cities of Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, and Midfield.
2006 – A.G. Gaston Green Power 10, Entrepreneur Award
2007 – Finalist, Small Businessman of the Year, Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.
2008 – Became the first AM broadcaster in the State of Alabama and fifth in the nation to receive an FCC waiver to originate programming on an FM translator.
2010 Emmitt Till Leadership Award by The Church Of God In Christ
2010 Leadership Birmingham Graduate
2015 BEBBC Alumni Association Leadership In Politics Award
2016 Phi Beta Sigma Change Agent Award
2017 Inductee in The Alabama Blues Hall of Fame
2018 Dream Keeper Award
PERSONAL DATA:
Married: Wife, Willamena
Children, Gary Jr., April, Jon, Gavette, Alexis, and Austin
Ham Radio Operator License, Extra Class (WB4GR)
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Faith Chapel Christian