My Story
Maurice Mercer is a proud graduate of Troy University with a degree in Business Administration. He has carved an impressive path marked by leadership and community involvement. He is the son of the late Kathryn Jenkins, RN and US Veteran and retired policeman Morris Mercer. He is also the proud grandson of civil rights and labor leader Henry Jenkins.
Mercer was first elected to the Pelham City Council in 2012. Winning re-election in 2016 and 2020 demonstrate the trust he has earned from the community. Mercer now serves as the Pelham City Council President. Notably, he is the first African-American elected to office in the City of Pelham.
With a firm belief in fiscal responsibility, community building, and transparent government, Mercer embodies principled leadership. His dedication to professional growth led to his Certification as a Municipal Official (CMO) by the Alabama League of Municipalities in 2021 and an advanced designation in 2024, showcasing his commitment to excellence in public service. His contributions to Pelham have garnered recognition, including consecutive Public Servant of the Year nominations in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Outside of his civic duties, Mercer works as a business account executive for an fortune 500 communications firm. He is involved in various organizations, boards, and committees, including the Alabaster-Pelham Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, the Community of Hope Health Clinic, the Pelham Library Guild, the Pelham Pastor's Roundtable, The Shelby County Chamber, and The Taste of Pelham
Personally, Maurice cherishes his role as a husband to Amanda Mercer, a veteran educator, and as a father to their three children, Emma, Katie, and Natalie. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, and coaching his girls' youth basketball teams.
During more than a decade on Council, Maurice Mercer has:
Highlights of Accomplishments
Economic Development: Supported Multiple Restaurants coming to Pelham Half Shell, Taco Mac, Edgars, Waldos, Bullet Coffee,
Supported New Mixed Use Development on Hwy 11
Economic Development: Hotel Feasibility Study
Economic Development: Tax incentive for Specification Rubber
Supported the purchase of Oak Mtn Amphitheater
Supported COLAs for city employees
Supported efforts by Pelham PD to enhance safety in Pelham with Flock Camera System
Supported Fire Department and citizens with adding EMS transport
Maintained Triple A Bond rating
Opened Park 124 (a trail head) behind old Valley Elementary / Campus 124 Summer 2024
renovated Ballantrae Club house and celebrated 20 years of a municipal course 2024
Collaborated with stakeholders to pass new Civil Service Law 2024
Brought all IT in-house instead of outsourcing fall 2023
Supported City efforts to go after FRA grant to eliminate waiting on trains on Hwy 52
Opened Splash Pad August 2023
Supported finding alternatives to trash collection via Cahaba Solid Waste Authority
Opened Renovated Pelham City Hall 2023
Opened Fire Station # 3 on Hwy 11 November 2022
Responded with leadership on Tornado recovery March 2021 with no deaths
Responded to 1000 year flood in October 2021 and approved funding to research solutions to eliminate flooding
Adopted New City Brand Spring 2021
Approved Resolution 2021-02-01-01 Civility and Cooperative Leadership Pledge February 2021
Approved Resolution 2021-01-21-05 Revised Education Sales Tax Provision Agreement
Advocated and supported park and rec events like Movies in the Park to bring community together
Supported dedicating penny sales tax toward education
Approved job description for economic developer
Purchased vacant Susan Schein property and made pad ready for developers
Brought in professional leadership, Venue Works to help lead the complex and ice arena
Renovated Pelham Civic Complex to bring back Bulls Hockey as well as modernize.
Opened New Public Library May 2018
Opened New Pelham Recreation Center January 2018
Supported formation of Pelham City Schools 2014
Co-Organized The Taste of Pelham Founded in 2013