Michael “Max” Nofziger was born on March 20, 1948 in Archbold, Ohio. He attended Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan where he graduated with honors with a BA in political science and a teaching certificate. In 1974 he moved to Austin, but it would be five years before Max decided to try his hand at local politics.
In 1979 he decided to put his political science degree to use and launched his first campaign for mayor. Although he lost his first election, he was not discouraged. He ran for Place 1 on the city council in 1981, and he ran for mayor again in 1983 and 1985. While Max failed to win these elections as well, the supporters and exposure he gained through these campaigns would ultimately result in a victory in 1987. In May of 1987 he won the run-off election for Place 1 on the city council, replacing Mark Rose. He won reelection to Place 1 on the city council in both 1990 and 1993 and served fifteen months as mayor pro tem.
Max's priorities while in office included improving the well being of the people of Austin and the protection of the environment and natural resources. Max investigated health care in Austin with the goal to ensure health care was available to anyone who needed it. This included working to improve Brackenridge Hospital. He was involved in the relocation of the city's airport from Robert Mueller Municipal Airport to where it is located today at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. As a founder of Austin Clean Energy prior to his terms in office, Max continued to be involved with environmental issues. He studied and tried to implement clean energy options like solar cells in Austin. In 1992, he supported the passage of the Save Our Springs Ordinance and remained committed to the preservation of clean water. Max also worked to improve the Capital Metro system to provide better public transportation options as a means of pollution and traffic reduction in Austin.
After leaving the City Council in 1996, he made two more unsuccessful bids for mayor in 1997 and 2003. He remains active in local politics in Austin area.
From the guide to the Austin (Tex. ). City Council. Max Nofziger Records AR. 2009. 057., 1982-1996, (Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, )
