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Mayor's
Biography
Troy
and Pike County Native – born in the Needmore Community
and attended Troy City Schools.
Mayor
Lunsford attended the University of Alabama and Auburn
University at Montgomery. He worked for the Alabama
Development Office, State of Alabama - the State’s
industry recruiting and economic development department.
Upon
leaving ADO, Mayor Lunsford entered the life and health
insurance business, serving 28 years in the Troy area.
Mayor
Lunsford is a retired Major in the Transportation Division
of the Alabama National Guard having served 22 years.
Jimmy
Lunsford was elected to the City Commission in 1982,
and was elected mayor in 1985, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000
and again in 2004. He currently serves as Mayor
of Troy, and serves on several major statewide governmental
boards and agencies. His interest in serving politically
was derived from his father who was very active in Pike
County politics. Mayor Lunsford fondly states
“my father was an 8th grade educated
dirt farmer but the smartest man I have ever known”.
Mayor
Lunsford served 11 years on the Board of Trustees of
Edge Regional Medical Center (now Troy Regional Medical
Center) as a public stand-along hospital. He currently
serves on the Board of Trustees of TRMC since the sale
to Community Health Systems, Inc. Mayor Lunsford
led the year-long study that culminated with the sale
of Edge Regional.
Mayor
Lunsford served on the Board of Directors of the Southeast
Alabama Gas District, a public corporation that furnishes
natural gas to Southeast Alabama.
Some
accomplishments listed by Mayor Lunsford as Mayor of
Troy include:
- Active
in the recruitment of Lockheed Martin, KW Can, Lowe’s,
Miltope, Sikorsky Support Services and most proud
of working with local existing industry in several
expansions and creation of new ventures.
- Increased
recreational opportunities through a new modern sportsplex
facility, a new larger library building, a senior
center complex and established parks and walking trails
for the enjoyment of all.
- Negotiated
the sale of Edge Regional Medical Center resulting
in better and more stable healthcare for the citizens,
and better working conditions for physicians and staff.
Another aspect was the creation of a $15,000,000 trust
fund to be perpetual in nature and provide earnings
to improve services for citizens forever. This
fund came from proceeds of sale of hospital.
- Mayor
Lunsford works closely with Troy University to provide
cultural and educational opportunities and the “Town
and Gown” relationship is the envy of other
state universities.
- A
new “state of the art” elementary school
has been built and funding for education has been
increased 3-fold.
Mayor
Lunsford is married to the former Faye Stephens; they
have a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Joy Lunsford,
a daughter and son-in-law, Holly and Bill Stoltze. And,
Mayor Lunsford is the proud grandfather of Jaxen Grady
Lunsford, Mary Ruth Stoltze and Jennalee Rose Lunsford.
Mayor's
Office Main
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