The 18th Mayor for the City of Foley, Ralph Hellmich, came into office in November 2020 following a sixteen-year tenure as the District 3 Foley City Council representative.

As a lifelong public servant and Foley native, becoming Mayor has truly been one of the highlights of his life.  Hellmich knows Foley inside and out, and knows how to further its economic prosperity for a bright future. His priorities will focus on revitalizing the economy, boosting infrastructure, and keeping taxes low. “Foley is already a great place to live, work and raise a family. Let’s keep it going, let’s make this town even better than it is now!” said Mayor Hellmich.

Mayor Hellmich was born in downtown Foley above Wright’s Drugstore in the old hospital and graduated from Foley High School in 1975.  He went on to attend the University of Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology. After graduation, he began his career with the State of Alabama Oil and Gas Board, where he served as the Regional Operations Supervisor responsible for overseeing operations in the southern half of Alabama.  After 39 years, Mayor Hellmich decided to retire from the State Board in 2019 to focus on family, service, and community.

Before being elected Mayor, Hellmich served on the Foley City Council for sixteen years (2004 – 2020), representing District 3. Throughout his tenure, he contributed to increasing Foley’s reserves from $6 million to $20 million and worked with fellow council members to add more city amenities for Foley residents. Those amenities included expansion of the Raymond C. Christensen Sports Complex on Highway 98, the Foley Sports Tourism Complex and Indoor Events Center, multiple sidewalk expansions, creation of new walking trails, and the addition of the Graham Creek Nature Preserve.

Mayor Hellmich was also a vocal advocate for the revitalization of downtown Foley through streetscape projects, creating the designated Main Street Program, and multiple infrastructure upgrades. He worked to create a framework for Foley’s future with the adoption of Comprehensive Plans and a 10-year Road Project Plan.

He serves as a Chairman of the Board of Directors for Riviera Utilities and is a member of the Foley Planning Commission.  He is a lifetime member of the Wolf Bay Watershed Watch and the President Elect for the University of Alabama Geological Sciences Advisory Board.

Mayor Hellmich has been married to his wife, Jo McGill Hellmich, for 40 wonderful years. They have three children (Kristin, Kurt, and Kate) and one grandson (Caleb).