Born in  Jamaica Councilman Alton Tinker moved to the United States at the age of 12. He attended Cleveland Public School through the 9th grade.  Alton graduated at the top of his class at Audubon Junior High School and subsequently received a high school scholarship through the A Better Chance (ABC) Program to attend high school in Appleton, Wisconsin.  Upon graduation from high school, Alton Tinker attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he began to study Engineering.  He left the University of Wisconsin-Madison to serve in the United States Air Force.  He then earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering Technology from Southern Illinois University.  He went on to earn a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in Finance from Cleveland State University.

Professionally, Councilman Alton Tinker is Vice President and Underwriting Officer for Keybank's Community Development Underwriting Group.  He makes credit decisions on community development loans.

Prior to his position at Keybank, Councilman Tinker was a Senior Credit Analyst and Relationship Manager for Bank One (JP Morgan Chase) middle market lending group.

In 2003, Alton Tinker was elected to serve the residents of Ward 3 on City Council in the City of Bedford Heights, Ohio. He was re-elected to a second term in November 2007.   Alton Tinker has been a big advocate of economic development and youth development.   Councilman Alton Tinker has been chairman of the City’s Economic Development Committee for the past eight years and have worked to help attract and maintain companies in Bedford Hts. He is also chairman of the Community Life Committee. From 2008 to 2010, he chaired the Bedford Heights Funtown Playground Fundraising Committee which raised over $130,000 to build a state of the art playground behind Bedford Heights City Hall for children of all ages..

Councilman Alton Tinker believes in networking and community involvement.   He is the founder and President of the Society of Urban Professionals (SOUP), a professional networking organization with over 2,500 members (www.thesoupnetwork.com)

Councilman Alton Tinker serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for Community Housing Solutions (www.commhousingsolutions.org).  The mission of Community Housing Solutions is to assist low to moderate income families to obtain and maintain safe, decent and affordable housing.  Programs provided by Community Housing Solutions include Housing Counseling, Tool Loan and Home Maintenance Training, Home Repair, Elderly Home Repair, Energy Conservation, and new housing construction.  During fiscal year 2010, more than 67 Bedford Heights residents received housing assistance through the Community Housing Solutions.

Councilman Alton Tinker is also Treasurer and Chairman of the Distribution Committee for Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland  (www.socfdncleveland.org).  The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland work to improve the lives of those most in need with special attention to families, women and children living in poverty. As a faith-based organization, the Foundation extends the values of Jesus Christ through the mission of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine.

Alton Tinker is also serves on the Board of Trustees for A Cultural Exchange (www.aculturalexchange.org) A Cultural Exchange is a literacy based multicultural arts organization for children. A Cultural Exchange fills a void through innovative educational programs that integrate award-winning multicultural literature with the visual and performing arts. In the belief that widening access to books and knowledge is a political act requiring the mobilization of an entire community.

Councilman Alton Tinker is also is a former Board member of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland (www.ulcleveland.org).  The mission of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland is to enable African Americans and other minority groups to develop and exercise their full potential on par with other Americans through research, advocacy and provision of services.

Professional
Vice President- Community Development, Keybank 2001-Present
Underwriting Officer – Community Development, Keybank 1998-2003
Relationship Manager, Small Business Lending, JP Morgan Chase (Bank One)
Senior Credit Analyst, Middle Market Lending, JP Morgan Chase (Bank One)

Education
Cleveland State University – Master of Business Administration – Finance
Southern Illinois University – Bachelor of Science

Military Service
United State Air