W. Edgar Welden
The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 2014.
W. Edgar Welden, a native of Wetumpka, Alabama, was born on January 23, 1943 to the late Dorothy Williams Welden and the late Charles Victor Welden, Sr. He is a 1961 graduate of Wetumpka High School. Welden attended the University of Alabama and received his B.S. degree in 1965 from the School of Commerce and Business Administration.
In 1977, Welden joined his brother, Charles V. Welden and the late Peter W. Field to form numerous business ventures. Over the years these companies operated under the umbrella of the Welden Field Welden families. The companies became some of the most successful real estate development, mortgage, and property management companies in the Southeast.
In addition to his business career, Welden has given 50 years to public service through his work with the Republican Party and the State of Alabama. In the mid 1960’s, Welden worked for the Alabama Republican Party and later served as State Chairman of the Party in 1975-76. He represented Alabama on the Republican National Committee for 12 years (1996-2008). In 1987, Welden volunteered his time and services to the State of Alabama as the Director of the Alabama Development Office (ADO) and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and as Special Assistant to the Governor for Economic Affairs. In this capacity, Welden was selected as Alabama’s Citizen of the Year for 1987 by the Alabama Broadcasters Association. In 1988, Governor Guy Hunt appointed Welden voluntary chairman of the Alabama Reunion. The Alabama Reunion was a two-year statewide celebration designed to promote pride within the state, increase economic development and tourism, as well as, improve Alabama’s national image. Welden designed and organized this program which was recognized nationally when Welden was awarded the 1992 National Governor’s Association Award for Distinguished Service to State Government.
Welden has remained committed to his alma mater where he served the University on numerous committees and promotions supporting athletic, as well as, academic programs and scholarships. For his years of service, Welden was awarded the 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Welden is an avid sports fan and has been involved with numerous projects that benefits Alabama’s young people, their schools and communities. One of Welden’s more significant and long-lasting contributions lies in the creation of the Birmingham Athletic Partnership (BAP) in 2002. Since its inception, BAP has provided Birmingham city schools with over $2.5 million in financial support. In 2006, Welden was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. In 2007, Welden was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. Recently Welden was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Football Foundation. In 2010, the Alabama Humanities Foundation presented Welden with the Alabama Humanities Award. He has also served as a Board Member for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Alabama National Bancorporation and Troy University Foundation Board.