By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Richard Lyons, a well-known Hartselle banker and community leader, is the new District 2 commissioner. He replaces John Glasscock at the midpoint of his four-year term. Glasscock was elected commission chairman in the general election Nov. 4.
Governor Bob Riley chose Lyons over two other Republican Party nominees, Randy Maner and Darrell Phillips. His decision was announced on Thursday.
Lyons was sworn in by District Judge David Breland in a 2 p.m. ceremony at the Morgan County Courthouse. At the same time, three other members of the five-member commission took the oath. They were Glasscock, Stacy George, second term as District 4 commissioner, and Kevin Murphy, newly elected commissioner of District 3.
Lyons, 58, is a 37-year veteran of the banking industry. Most recently, he was employed by Colonial Bank in Hartselle as a senior business banker. He worked for the same firm for over 15 years.
"I'm excited about having the opportunity to serve the people of District 2 and Morgan County in a position of public trust," Lyons said. "I have always had a strong interest in politics but wasn't able to be as vocal and visible as I would have liked because of the nature of the banking industry. I view this as a personal challenge and a way for me to give back something to my community and county. I can say now that I plan to make the best possible use of the next two years in the interest of the public good and to prepare to run for a four-year term in 2006."
Lyons said he believes his background and experience in business and finance will be an asset to county government.
"I plan to do everything I can to promote the industrial and retail business growth of our area," he added.
"My immediate goal is to get to know my staff and become familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a commissioner, Lyons said. "I also plan to dig into the operating budget and do a lot of driving in order to get better acquainted with the district and its people."
Lyons is a graduate of Athens State College with a B.S. degree in business administration. He launched his banking career with the former National Bank in Decatur in 1966 while attending college. Subsequently, he was employed by the former Citizens Bank of Hartselle, First Alabama Bank of Hartselle, and First Federal Savings Bank of Decatur. He joined Colonial Bank in 1989 and was promoted to vice president and branch manager of Hartselle and Moulton offices in 1993. He later served as president of the Hartselle office and as executive commercial lending officer of Morgan County operations.
As a community leader, he has served as director and president of Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, president of the Hartselle Kiwanis Club, president of Hartselle Civitan Club and as a board member of the Alabama Bankers Association, Junior Achievement, Homebuilders Association, Rotary Club and United Way.
He is currently a director and vice chairman of Building Together for Morgan County, director of Hartselle and a Commodore in the Decatur and Morgan County Chamber of Commerce.
He is chairman of the pastoral council of Annunciation Catholic Church in Decatur.
Lyons is married to the former Terri Whatley of Decatur. They have two daughters, Amy Crisler of Hartselle, a registered nurse, and Deirdree Jones of Decatur, a school librarian. They also have two grandsons, Wyker and Ian Jones, ages 5 and 2.
He is a past president of Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce and has been active in various civic and community organizations.