MADISON – Hanu Karlapalem is campaigning to serve as District 3 Commissioner in Limestone County.

Karlapalem, who is the Democratic nominee, formally launched his campaign with a kickoff party at Mac’s Sports Bar and Steakhouse in Athens on June 22. At this event, he presented his business case for his campaign.

Karlapalem’s platform is built on three major beliefs:

* Trust — “Restore trust with responsive and accountable representation,” he said.

* Transparency –“Maintain transparency and listen to constituents by refusing to take PAC money.”

* Transformation — Offer effective and practical solutions to meet new challenges arising from population growth and transformations in the district’s economy. Karlapalem will focus on “Smart Growth and Transformation” that include a startup hub in public/private partnership. “S-Hub is an economic, education and entertainment complex,” he said.

Karlapalem is seeking office to give back to the state of Alabama where he built his life. He welcomes citizens of his district to work alongside him. “We must recognize the good in others and collaborate to support our diverse society and find practical solutions that unite all of us as Americans and citizens of Limestone County,” Karlapalem said.

Threats to Limestone County’s economic future include “automation, a rapidly changing international trade situation, competition from other states and weak economic mobility,” according to Karlapalem. He believes his experience and training have prepared him to “turn future threats into new opportunities.”

“I will be an inclusive and innovative commissioner who represents all of District 3 by engaging the community, embracing diversity, upholding high ethical standards and leading with integrity” Karlapalem said.

For 30-plus years, Karlapalem has gained work and entrepreneurial experience with businesses, engineering, information technology and non-profit organizations. His first job was shift engineer at a steel pipe manufacturing plant.

Karlapalem is founder/CEO of Vinhamz Inc., a small business that provides network solutions and cloud services. He holds a master’s degree in management information systems from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Karlapalem ran for Madison Mayor in 2016.

He and wife Vidya have been married for 23 years and have lived in Madison for 18 years. Vidya works as a software engineer.

He served as board member for Global Ties Alabama, lead for Alabama Action Center of Child Rights and You (CRY) America Inc.

For more information, visit hanu4commissioner.com.