Tom Hanel
Tom Hanel is an American real estate broker and former police officer and politician who served as mayor of Billings, Montana and as city councilman and mayor of Big Timber, Montana.
Personal life and education
Hanel was born and raised in Miles City, Montana. Hanel moved to Billings in 1973 to attend Eastern Montana College, now Montana State University Billings, to study sociology. His education led him to join the Billings Police Department, where he reached the position of Police Lieutenant. After 20 years in the BPD, Hanel retired in 1996 and moved to Big Timber with his family. After serving several years on the Big Timber City Council, as mayor for part of that time, Hanel returned to Billings to be a real estate broker with his wife Robin.Hanel entered Billings politics in 2004 attempting to unseat incumbent state representative Arlene Becker as a Republican, but lost in the District 52 general election. Hanel was elected as Mayor of Billings in November 2009 and was re-elected in 2013, eventually leaving office in January 2018 due to term limits.
Throughout his two terms as mayor and after he left office, the Hanels have owned a Billings branch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Hanel has three children and is a Shriner, Master Mason, and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite.
Political Career
Hanel entered politics in Big Timber, serving on the city council, and as mayor from 2001 to his 2003 resignation. His brief stint as mayor of Big Timber was marked by uncertainty regarding the future of the Stillwater Mining Company, which was purchased by Russian company Norilsk Nickel during his tenure.Hanel was the Republican nominee in a November 2004 Montana House of Representatives election for District 52, which was in the Billings area. Hanel faced Democratic incumbent Arlene Becker, losing the general election 44-56%. He was also considered to fill John Bohlinger's state Senate seat after governor Brian Schweitzer selected Bohlinger to be lieutenant governor, but Jeff Essmann was appointed instead.
Finally breaking through into Billings politics in 2009, Hanel won the five-candidate September primary for Mayor of Billings with 52%, and went on to beat city councilman Dick Clark 68-32% in November to succeed Ronald Tussing. Hanel was re-elected for his second and final term in November 2013, winning against bail bondsman John McFadden 79-21%. Overall, Hanel oversaw a period of growth in Billings, both in terms of population and development. He and his wife Robin participated in many community events and supported local charities, even donating his meager salary. In his duties as mayor, Hanel inagurated several projects, including the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site, Logan airport renovations, and oversaw cleanup efforts following the 2010 Billings tornado. Hanel also made some controversial decisions in his role on the city council, most notably his tie-breaking vote to kill efforts to pass a Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO) in August 2014, which would have given extra legal protections against discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, race, and sexuality. Hanel was succeeded as mayor by Bill Cole in January 2018.