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The mayor serves as the city's chief executive officer and is responsible for providing professional leadership in the administration and implementation of all city operations and the policies, goals and vision set forth by the Office of the Mayor and City Council.
The mayor appoints all city department heads and enforces all City of Huntsville ordinances, resolutions and orders and proposes the City of Huntsville's annual budget.
The mayor approves the financing of all City of Huntsville Operations and executes and administers contracts on behalf of the City.
Mayor Tommy Battle
 Thomas M. “Tommy” Battle, Jr., was elected Mayor of Huntsville in 2008, and immediately launched his vision for the City’s future despite facing one of the nation’s most challenging economic recessions. Under Mayor Battle’s leadership, the City tightened its belt, balanced the budget, kept workers employed, and maintained a AAA Bond rating from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, the highest rating in the state’s history. He successfully guided Huntsville to a position of greater strength and stability and toward a level of growth that could serve as a model for cities across the country.
With his focus on Huntsville’s economic future, Mayor Battle concentrated on three initiatives: Second to None – in support of NASA and aerospace programs; Energy Huntsville – dedicated to using local technologies and depth to explore and innovate in emerging energy markets; and Cyber Huntsville – a coalition of 200 technology companies leveraging the unique synergies among government, industry, and academia across the Tennessee Valley. The Mayor’s goal: make the best possible use of Huntsville’s intellectual capital to ensure that the City becomes the global leader in research and development.
Now that Huntsville has successfully integrated the U.S. Army’s Base Realignment and Closure movements into the City’s future, the billion dollar Redstone Gateway development is under construction at the entrance to Redstone Arsenal, proving again that private industry continues to invest in the City. With the arrival of BRAC, and the increasing number of companies interested in relocating or expanding in Huntsville, the Mayor has begun implementing measures to develop a growth blueprint for the area. A part of that process is the 50 year land use plan for the newly annexed western corridor located in Limestone County. He has reorganized the City’s planning department, and announced a national search for an urban planner who will work with the community to create a comprehensive master plan with a proactive approach to appropriate growth. The plan will promote more parks and green spaces, recreation opportunities, bike paths, and attractive pedestrian walkways. It will also address proposed development and transportation, ensuring their fit with the character of the community and compatibility with the master plan.
Mayor Battle takes great pride in leading a City of rockets and defense, bio-tech and computer science, arts and parks, a smart City on the move. He is quick to tell visitors that Huntsville boasts the second largest research park in the United States with a concentration of high tech workers second only to San Jose’s Silicon Valley. Recently, Huntsville was lauded as one of the “Top 20 Leading Metros for Business” and one of the “Top Five Small Cities of the Future in North and South America” by Forbes Magazine. Mayor Battle has proudly shared Huntsville’s success story in interviews with numerous media leaders, including CNN, NBC, Bloomberg News, Politico, the Wall Street Journal, and Fox Business News.
As Mayor he is equally conscious of protecting Huntsville’s enviable quality of life, enhanced by its location, community spirit and cooperation, and environment. His dedication to the City’s growth and economic security is easily matched by his commitment to the happiness and well-being of every citizen. That commitment is reflected in the numerous awards the Mayor has received since taking office, including the Diversity Award from Alabama A & M University, the Public Official of the Year Award from the Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates, and the Employer Support Award from the Alabama National Guard Association.
Born in Birmingham on Dec. 3, 1955, Mayor Battle received his business degree from the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the renowned UA debate team and served as an elected executive of the Student Government Association. He moved to Huntsville in 1980 and expanded his passion for public service as a young entrepreneur, participating in numerous civic groups and earning a spot on the Huntsville City Council in 1984. After serving as the Council’s Finance Chair, Battle left the Council to run for the Mayor’s office, falling just short of a win in a tight run-off against incumbent Joe Davis.
Throughout the following 25+ years, Battle remained committed to community service. Among his activities he chaired EarlyWorks Museum’s Board of Directors, served on the boards of Solid Waste Disposal Authority and HEMSI, and held leadership positions at Trinity United Methodist Church.
During those years, Battle’s private sector background as a successful businessman in real estate, development, and restaurant operations, all in Huntsville, effectively prepared him for the demanding role as the City’s chief executive officer, recruiter, and champion of its future. A consensus builder who is committed to getting things done, Mayor Battle’s tireless work ethic and attention to the basics have served him and the City well in this, his first term in office.
The Mayor is married to the former Eula Sammons, a retired kindergarten teacher who was honored as Madison County Teacher of the Year in 2000. The Battles have one son, Drew, a banker with Progress Bank in Huntsville.
October 1, 2011
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