MADISON – A long time ago, John Seifert learned that many people complain about problems, yet only a few want to step up and be part of a solution. He decided to join that minority and successfully entered the election for District 7 Councilman on Madison City Council.

“Our city needs leadership dedicated to serving others, above all, and being part of a team,” Seifert said. “I want to put our city first and make it better for our families and most importantly our children.”

“We must leave things better for our future generations,” he said. Seifert believed he could make a difference based on his life experiences, a drive to succeed and help others, his current service within the community and his work ethic.

For District 7, Seifert believes the top three needs are “sidewalks for walkability, infrastructure improvements and greater economic development with aesthetic improvements along U.S. 72. “For the City of Madison as a whole, the priorities include “maintaining a top-notch school system, quality of life via economic development and infrastructure improvement, (along with) facility improvements to parks and recreation.”

In 2004, Seifert and his family moved to the area with his job. “Specifically, we moved to Madison due to the school system to start and raise our family,” he said.

At Auburn University, Seifert majored in mechanical engineering and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2000 and a master’s degree in 2002.

Currently, he works at Science Applications International Corporation or SAIC as a Senior Program Manager. Previously, he was employed by Miltec Corporation.

“My career has prepared me through learning how to communicate effectively, build teams, manage expectations and serve others,” Seifert said. “Program management is all about serving others to enable their successes through leading them to a common vision within budget and schedule constraints.”

He realizes a parallel. Service “sounds a lot like improving the quality of life of our citizens through working with council and mayor to develop a vision and leading our city there within our budget and schedule constraints.”

His wife, Heather Hulsey Seifert, has worked for Madison City Schools since 2003 and currently teaches second-graders at Rainbow Elementary School. Their son, John ‘Drew’ Seifert III is a third-grader at Rainbow and previously attended Columbia Elementary School. The Seiferts are members of Asbury United Methodist Church.

In civic involvement, John coaches youth baseball, volunteers in Asbury Children’s Ministry, participates in Columbia’s Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and serves as an assistant Den Leader for Den 8 in Cub Scout Pack 351.

“Most people don’t know that, while in high school, I played two instruments in band, clarinet and saxophone, and played baseball. I still have the instruments but don’t play much anymore, but my love for music and baseball is still there today,” John said.

Away from work, John enjoys golf, listening to music, working on baseball with his son and family vacations at the beach.