Howard Sanderford
James Howard Sanderford | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 18, 1935 |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Business executive |
| Years active | 1989–2022 |
| Known for | Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 20th district |
James Howard Sanderford (born October 18, 1935) is a former legislator who served in the Alabama State House of Representatives. As a member of the Republican Party, he represented the 20th district, which primarily includes the southeastern area of Huntsville, from 1989 until 2022.
Biography
Sanderford holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Mississippi State University, where he actively participated in student government activities. Following his tenure as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, he pursued a corporate career, initially as an executive at IBM and subsequently as President of Computer Leasing Company, Inc. He and his spouse Dot are dedicated attendees of the First Baptist Church located in Huntsville.
His extensive leadership experience encompasses serving as a former President of the Huntsville Rotary Club, Chairperson of the Madison County Republican Executive Committee, co-chair of the Chamber of Commerce Free Enterprise Committee, and Vice President on the Board of the Metropolitan YMCA. Additionally, he contributed to the Alabama Commission on Aerospace Sciences and participated in the Alabama Management Improvement Program.
At present, Sanderford holds board positions with several organizations including the Alabama Space and Rocket Center, Volunteers of America of North Alabama, YMCA, Alabama Men's Hall of Fame, and the Alabama Board of Medical Scholarship Awards.
2010 election
During his campaign for a seventh term in 2010, Sanderford was challenged in the Republican primary by David Pinkleton, a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Frances Taylor, who formerly led the Republican Women of Huntsville. Both opponents emphasized property rights issues related to the expansion efforts of the Huntsville Housing Authority into southern Huntsville. Sanderford secured victory in the June 1 primary by receiving 57% of the vote (5,724 ballots), thereby avoiding a runoff election.
Committee assignments
Representative Sanderford holds the position of chair for both the Boards, Agencies & Commissions Committee and the Joint Legislative Medal of Honor Committee. He serves as Vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Co-chairman of the Sunset Committee. His committee memberships also include Madison County Legislation, Joint Legislative State Parks, Southern Legislative (executive committee), and Energy Council.
Sources
- 1935 births
- American businesspeople
- Baptists from Mississippi
- IBM employees
- Republican Party members of the Alabama House of Representatives
- Mississippi State University alumni
- Living people
- Politicians from Huntsville, Alabama
- Politicians from Meridian, Mississippi
- United States Marine Corps officers
- Baptists from Alabama
- YMCA leaders
- 21st-century members of the Alabama Legislature