Hanu Karlapalem is a candidate in Madison’s mayoral race. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – With the campaign slogan “New Vision, Better Madison,” Hanu Karlapalem has announced his candidacy for mayor of Madison.

A resident of Madison, Alabama for 16 years, Hanu wants to make Madison the number one small city in America. “Madison deserves smart growth. I am committed to working with the City Council to make this happen,” Karlapalem said. “Let’s fast-track Madison to where it should be.”

Karlapalem believes he must give back to the state of Alabama where he built his life. He welcomes Madison citizens to work alongside him “in the quest for vision, accountability, leadership, unity and ethics – which spells V.A.L.U.E.”

“I will be an inclusive Mayor who represents all of Madison by engaging the community, embracing diversity, upholding high ethical standards and leading with integrity,” he said.

Karlapalem has compiled about 30 years of work and entrepreneurial experience with businesses, engineering, information technology and non-profit organizations.

He is founder & CEO of Vinhamz Inc., a small business providing network solution services. Before Vinhamz, he successfully founded and managed three small businesses in air ionization and purification, industrial and commercial lighting and oil reclamation.

Hanu earned a master’s degree in management information systems from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. His career began as a shift engineer at a steel pipe manufacturing plant.

He and wife Vidya have been married 21 years. Vidya holds a master’s degree in computer science and works as a software engineer.

For his platforms, Karlapalem has identified vital issues as roads and traffic; sustainability and economic development; communication, collaboration and community development; transparency and city government reforms; and restructuring.

His volunteer service includes UAH Alumni Association and advisory council, board member and vice president of Global Ties Alabama. He is a citizen diplomat for U.S. Department of State.

For more information, visit hanuformayor.com.