By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The executive director of the Pelham-based Vineyard Family Services will look to replace outgoing District 4 Shelby County Commissioner Daniel Acker Sr. in next year’s elections, he announced on Oct. 7.

Alabaster resident Ward Williams, who has worked with VFS since 2007, has announced he is planning to run for the commission seat. Acker, who has served on the commission for the past 23 years, recently announced he will not seek re-election when his current term expires in November 2016, citing health concerns.

Williams said he decided to run for the District 4 seat after Acker announced he would not seek re-election.

“Pelham and Alabaster need to have a strong voice on the commission. They are both growing cities, and there is a lot of pride in both cities,” Williams said during an Oct. 7 phone interview. “My decision to run has been a couple-week process. I’ve been talking with commissioner Acker to see which direction he planned to take. When he told me he was not seeking office again, that’s when I made my decision to run.”

For the past eight years, Williams has been leading VFS, which is the parent company of the Backpack Buddies program. Backpack Buddies works to provide out-of-school meals for children who otherwise would go hungry during the nights and weekends. Williams has seen the Backpack Buddies program grow from 40 kids several years ago to 700 kids today.

VFS, which is housed in the Servpro corporate office on Huntley Parkway in Pelham, also provides programs to promote responsible fatherhood, strong families and child wellbeing.

Williams previously coached soccer at Spain Park High School, has been a youth coach with the Alabaster YMCA, has served on the Children’s Policy Council, the Department of Human Resources Quality Assurance Council and more.

If elected, Williams said he plans to foster collaboration between local nonprofits and those looking to help, and plans to work to tout Shelby County’s strengths.

“If elected, I will focus on the positive, and not just what needs help,” Williams said. “There are a lot of assets here, and I don’t know if everyone knows about them.”

Primary elections will be held on March 1, 2016, with a primary runoff on April 12, 2016, if necessary. The general election will be held on Nov. 8, 2016.