A native of the Okefenokee Swamp-Charlton County area, Hayward Altman attended Brewton Parker Junior College. As a chorus member, he traveled all over the southeast, even performing in France, Greece, Israel and Bethlehem on Christmas eve. As an undergrad at Mercer College, he was active as a cheerleader and a member of Theta Chi fraternity.

Following graduation, Hayward earned a law degree from Mercer Law School, practicing law and serving as District Attorney for the Middle Circuit of Georgia, selected as DA of the year in 2017.

Hayward is widowed from his wife of 43 years, Kathy, with whom he shared a son and daughter, their spouses and 4 “fabulous, fantastic” grandchildren.

Fun facts: Hayward enjoys line dancing, bowling and swam with his grandson and the whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium.