John Katopodis: Difference between revisions
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He then went to Harvard University, earning a master's in public administration in [[1973]] from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He later completed a Ph.D from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Katopodis was a Fulbright Scholar to Sweden and is a recipient of Harvard's Sheldon Prize and several other academic awards. | He then went to Harvard University, earning a master's in public administration in [[1973]] from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He later completed a Ph.D from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Katopodis was a Fulbright Scholar to Sweden and is a recipient of Harvard's Sheldon Prize and several other academic awards. | ||
In the [[1979 Birmingham mayoral election]] Katopodis was one of a large group of challengers (including current Mayor [[Larry Langford]]) running to unseat incumbent [[David Vann]]. [[Richard Arrington, Jr]] won the runoff against [[Frank Parsons]] and became the city's first African-American mayor. Katopodis ran again in [[1983 Birmingham mayoral election|1983]], challenging Arrington's incumbency, but was | In the [[1979 Birmingham mayoral election]] Katopodis was one of a large group of challengers (including current Mayor [[Larry Langford]]) running to unseat incumbent [[David Vann]]. [[Richard Arrington, Jr]] won the runoff against [[Frank Parsons]] and became the city's first African-American mayor. Katopodis ran again in [[1983 Birmingham mayoral election|1983]], challenging Arrington's incumbency, but was defeated in what had become a predominantly African-American city. | ||
His tenure as the first Republican elected to the [[Jefferson County Commission]] ended when [[Gary White]] defeated him in the [[1990]] Republican primary. White later pursued a redistricting plan that placed Katopodis' residence in the predominantly-black district represented by [[Chris McNair]]. | His tenure as the first Republican elected to the [[Jefferson County Commission]] ended when [[Gary White]] defeated him in the [[1990]] Republican primary. White later pursued a redistricting plan that placed Katopodis' residence in the predominantly-black district represented by [[Chris McNair]]. | ||
In the 1990s Katopodis tried to spur closer ties between area governments forming the [[Council of Cooperating Governments]]. The organization's primary project was a campaign to establish a new regional airport in Alabama to serve Atlanta and Birmingham | In the 1990s Katopodis tried to spur closer ties between area governments forming the [[Council of Cooperating Governments]]. The organization's primary project was a campaign to establish a new regional airport in Alabama to serve Atlanta and Birmingham. | ||
Katopodis helped create the charity program [[Computer Help for Kids]] along with [[Larry Langford]] and Healthsouth founder [[Richard Scrushy]] in [[2000]]. | Katopodis helped create the charity program [[Computer Help for Kids]] along with [[Larry Langford]] and Healthsouth founder [[Richard Scrushy]] in [[2000]]. In [[2007]] Katopodis worked with Mayor Larry Langford to negotiate the purchase of 15,000 [[XO laptops]] from the One Laptop Per Child foundation at MIT and was among those involved in the short-lived [[Birmingham Education Initiative]] created by Langford to administer the program. Katopodis made news in [[2006]], when he proposed renaming [[Caldwell Park]] in honor of former fellow councilor [[Nina Miglionico]], describing [[Henry Caldwell]] as a slave-owner less worthy of the honor. | ||
In [[2007]] Katopodis worked with Mayor Larry Langford to negotiate the purchase of 15,000 [[XO laptops]] from the One Laptop Per Child foundation at MIT and was among those involved in the short-lived [[Birmingham Education Initiative]] created by Langford to administer the program. | |||
Katopodis | |||
In his career in public service, Katopodis has been involved in a number of public projects including the creation of [[EPIC School]], an elementary school in Birmingham that mainstreams disabled children, as well as the [[McWane Science Center]], an interactive science museum. He has also served as associate director of the [[Alabama School of Fine Arts]], where he led the drive to build the school's current facility. Katopodis has also served as chair of the [[Birmingham Regional Planning Commission]] and as secretary of the [[Alabama Republican Party]]. | In his career in public service, Katopodis has been involved in a number of public projects including the creation of [[EPIC School]], an elementary school in Birmingham that mainstreams disabled children, as well as the [[McWane Science Center]], an interactive science museum. He has also served as associate director of the [[Alabama School of Fine Arts]], where he led the drive to build the school's current facility. Katopodis has also served as chair of the [[Birmingham Regional Planning Commission]] and as secretary of the [[Alabama Republican Party]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 16:57, 25 April 2008
Gregory John Katopodis (born 1947 in Birmingham) is a businessman, former president of the Birmingham City Council, former member of the Jefferson County Commission, and ran in the 1979 and 1983 Birmingham mayoral elections.
In the late 1960s, Katopodis served as director of federal programs, helping oversee the desegregation of schools in Sumter County, Georgia, where Jimmy Carter was chairman of the school board before being elected Governor.
He then went to Harvard University, earning a master's in public administration in 1973 from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. He later completed a Ph.D from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Katopodis was a Fulbright Scholar to Sweden and is a recipient of Harvard's Sheldon Prize and several other academic awards.
In the 1979 Birmingham mayoral election Katopodis was one of a large group of challengers (including current Mayor Larry Langford) running to unseat incumbent David Vann. Richard Arrington, Jr won the runoff against Frank Parsons and became the city's first African-American mayor. Katopodis ran again in 1983, challenging Arrington's incumbency, but was defeated in what had become a predominantly African-American city.
His tenure as the first Republican elected to the Jefferson County Commission ended when Gary White defeated him in the 1990 Republican primary. White later pursued a redistricting plan that placed Katopodis' residence in the predominantly-black district represented by Chris McNair.
In the 1990s Katopodis tried to spur closer ties between area governments forming the Council of Cooperating Governments. The organization's primary project was a campaign to establish a new regional airport in Alabama to serve Atlanta and Birmingham.
Katopodis helped create the charity program Computer Help for Kids along with Larry Langford and Healthsouth founder Richard Scrushy in 2000. In 2007 Katopodis worked with Mayor Larry Langford to negotiate the purchase of 15,000 XO laptops from the One Laptop Per Child foundation at MIT and was among those involved in the short-lived Birmingham Education Initiative created by Langford to administer the program. Katopodis made news in 2006, when he proposed renaming Caldwell Park in honor of former fellow councilor Nina Miglionico, describing Henry Caldwell as a slave-owner less worthy of the honor.
In his career in public service, Katopodis has been involved in a number of public projects including the creation of EPIC School, an elementary school in Birmingham that mainstreams disabled children, as well as the McWane Science Center, an interactive science museum. He has also served as associate director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, where he led the drive to build the school's current facility. Katopodis has also served as chair of the Birmingham Regional Planning Commission and as secretary of the Alabama Republican Party.