Steve Hettinger
Encyclopedia
Stephen Ray "Steve" Hettinger (born August 25, 1945) served as mayor of Huntsville, Alabama
from 1988 to 1996. During this period, Hettinger became particularly involved in leading the recovery of the city in the aftermath of the Huntsville Tornado of 1989.
Born in Memphis, Hettinger moved to Huntsville in 1967 after graduating from Mississippi State University
, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He then worked in the space program while studying towards a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville
, which he received in 1974.
In 1982, he successfully ran for a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives
, defeating an incumbent. He left the House after winning the 1988 race for mayor of Huntsville, where he defeated five-term Mayor Joe Davis
.
A noted Star Trek
fan, Hettinger temporarily renamed the city "Star Trek, Alabama" for the colossal "Star Trek 30" Convention in 1996. Among the special guests were the lead actors of the original cast, actors from its spinoffs, and six Apollo astronauts.
In 1995, Hettinger decided not to seek a third term in 1996 election. He considered running as a Democrat for a United States Senate
seat being vacated by Howell Heflin
, but the primary went to Roger Bedford, Jr.
and the seat ultimately was won by Republican
Jeff Sessions
. After leaving office, Hettinger returned to the private sector to co-found an engineering firm.
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
from 1988 to 1996. During this period, Hettinger became particularly involved in leading the recovery of the city in the aftermath of the Huntsville Tornado of 1989.
Born in Memphis, Hettinger moved to Huntsville in 1967 after graduating from Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He then worked in the space program while studying towards a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Alabama in Huntsville
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational research university, located in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees, and is organized in five...
, which he received in 1974.
In 1982, he successfully ran for a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term...
, defeating an incumbent. He left the House after winning the 1988 race for mayor of Huntsville, where he defeated five-term Mayor Joe Davis
Joe W. Davis (politician)
Joe William Davis was a mayor of Huntsville, Alabama who served for five consecutive terms from 1968 to 1988. He unsuccessfully sought a sixth term. Davis is the second-longest serving mayor of Huntsville, behind only Alex W...
.
A noted Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
fan, Hettinger temporarily renamed the city "Star Trek, Alabama" for the colossal "Star Trek 30" Convention in 1996. Among the special guests were the lead actors of the original cast, actors from its spinoffs, and six Apollo astronauts.
In 1995, Hettinger decided not to seek a third term in 1996 election. He considered running as a Democrat for a United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
seat being vacated by Howell Heflin
Howell Heflin
Howell Thomas Heflin was a United States Senator from Tuscumbia, Alabama, and a member of the Democratic Party.-Biography:...
, but the primary went to Roger Bedford, Jr.
Roger Bedford, Jr.
Roger H. Bedford, Jr. born July 7, 1956, is a Democratic member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 6th District since 1994. He previously served from 1982 through 1990....
and the seat ultimately was won by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Jeff Sessions
Jeff Sessions
Jefferson Beauregard "Jeff" Sessions III is the junior United States Senator from Alabama. First elected in 1996, Sessions is a member of the Republican Party...
. After leaving office, Hettinger returned to the private sector to co-found an engineering firm.