Walter Young, Jr., was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, to Master Sergeant Walter Young Sr. and Amanda Young. Walter spent most of his childhood in Natchitoches, Louisiana. A 1980 Natchitoches Central High School graduate, Walter, has a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern State University. along with an Associate in Insurance and an Associate in Claims designations. Walter and his wife, Gail, live in the Shadowood neighborhood with their daughter, who will be graduating from Ridgeland High School in 2025.

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Walter is proud of serving his country. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves and moving up the ranks to Captain, he was promoted to Company Commander, responsible for leading 350 soldiers during their basic Infantry training period. He managed a 1.5-million-dollar budget to ensure the soldiers were combat-ready to serve this great nation. This moment in his life prepared Walter to advocate for everyone. One of Mr. Young's proudest memories is having his father pin his Lieutenant's bar on his shoulder and giving Walter his first salute as an officer. Communication, collaboration, problem-solving, innovation, and transparency were intangible skills learned during his military career.

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Walter has an extensive background in Insurance, teaching, and mentoring. With over 35 years in the insurance industry, Walter is currently a Senior Commercial Property Claims Adjuster, handling claims for municipalities across six southern states. His extensive background positions him to be a responsible steward of Ridgeland's tax base and resources.

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As the Pastor of Open Arms Worship Center, Walter is excited to share God's word with everyone. He loves to teach and preach the good news of the scriptures. Walter believes that if everyone could be on one spiritual accord with God as their foundation, we could eliminate division and bring people together to do what is best for the city of Ridgeland.

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Walter Young has actively served the residents of Ward 2 as a member of the Ridgeland Community Awareness Board, where he honed his skills as a listener and communicator. He has been involved in the Ridgeland High School Parent Teacher Organization, serving as PTO president from 2023-2024 and earning the title of Parent of the Year in 2023. Additionally, he is the current Parliamentarian for the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Metro Jackson and a past treasurer of the Mississippi Claims Association. A lifelong Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. member, Walter has held several leadership roles in the fraternity and represented the Beta Alpha Chapter at their National Conclave.

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As the past chairperson of his insurance company’s  Vision Committee, Walter organized community projects ranging from meal packing at the Mississippi Food Network to supporting local schools and serving lunches at Stewpot. His vision for Ridgeland focuses on citizen safety, economic development, and community welfare by attracting new businesses and enhancing local programs. Running for Ward 2 Alderman, Walter seeks to ensure that local government amplifies the residents’ voices, addressing their concerns and aspirations for a united and thriving community.

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