MAYOR 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 later WAYE-AM 1220 in Birmingham and WIXI AM 1360 in Jasper, AL. Richardson Broadcasting now owns and operates two radio stations and one low-power television station and two FM translators. A 43-year broadcast veteran, Gary has held every position in radio on and off the air, including Chief Engineer (an SBE Certified Professional Broadcast 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 – “The Gary Richardson Morning Show” – and for the past 33 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. Gary has been a pioneer and visionary in broadcasting. Here is a few of his many accomplishments:
- 1985 – First to broadcast an FM signal over Cable TV
- 1987 – At age 30, became one of America’s youngest radio station owners
- 1989 – One of the first to convert to AM Stereo in Alabama
- 2003 – “Broadcast Digital Pioneer Award” by Ibiquity Digital Corporation as being the first radio station in the State of Alabama to convert to HD.
- 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.
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, an Associate in Mass Communications 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, President of the Jefferson County Mayor’s Association, President of the Board of Directors for Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity, Chairman of the Jefferson County EMA Council, Vice-Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Red Mountain Park Commission, 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.
Gary is a member of Faith Chapel Christian Church, and attributes all of his success to his faith in his lord and savior Jesus Christ.