Craig Greenberg

Craig Greenberg
Craig Greenberg
Born	22 8, 1973
Birthplace	Commack, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman, lawyer
Known for	Co-founder of 21c Museum Hotels; Mayor of Louisville
Education	Harvard Law School (J.D.)
Spouse(s)	Rachel Greenberg
Children	2

Craig Greenberg (born August 22, 1973) is an American businessman, lawyer, and politician who has served as the 59th mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, since January 2, 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Greenberg leads the consolidated city-county government of Louisville Metro, succeeding Greg Fischer, who held the office for twelve years. Before entering politics, Greenberg built a career in law and business, most notably as co-founder and chief executive officer of 21c Museum Hotels, a boutique hotel chain that combined contemporary art museums with luxury hospitality. He also co-purchased Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2021 alongside sports radio host Matt Jones. Greenberg's 2022 mayoral campaign drew national attention after he survived an assassination attempt at his campaign headquarters in February of that year, an incident that became one of the most high-profile acts of political violence in Kentucky history. Since taking office, Greenberg has focused on public safety, economic development, and the revitalization of downtown Louisville, announcing major investments including a $173 million Foxconn manufacturing operation and the planned transformation of the landmark Humana Tower into a hotel.

Early Life

Craig Greenberg was born on August 22, 1973, in Commack, New York, a hamlet in the town of Smithtown on Long Island. He later relocated to Kentucky, where he established his professional career and raised his family. Greenberg and his wife, Rachel, have two children and reside in Louisville.

Education

Greenberg attended Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education provided the foundation for the early stage of his career in corporate law before he transitioned into the hospitality and business sectors.

Career

Legal Career

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Greenberg practiced law at Frost Brown Todd, a prominent regional law firm headquartered in Louisville. His work at the firm provided him with experience in business and corporate law that would later inform his entrepreneurial ventures.

21c Museum Hotels

In 2006, Greenberg co-founded 21c Museum Hotels, a boutique hotel concept that integrated contemporary art museums with full-service hotel accommodations. The venture represented an innovative approach to hospitality, pairing curated art exhibitions accessible to the public with upscale lodging and dining experiences. The first 21c Museum Hotel opened in Louisville, Kentucky, in a series of renovated 19th-century tobacco and bourbon warehouses in the city's downtown district.

Greenberg served as the company's president and chief executive officer, overseeing its expansion from its Louisville flagship to multiple locations across the United States. The hotel chain grew to include properties in several cities, earning recognition for its model of combining art and commerce. Under Greenberg's leadership, 21c Museum Hotels became one of Louisville's most prominent business success stories, contributing to the revitalization of the city's downtown area.

The company's growth was described as a "labor of love" for Greenberg in a 2018 profile by Louisville Business First, which highlighted the personal investment and effort he put into developing the brand over more than a decade. Greenberg's involvement with 21c also extended to broader real estate and urban development projects in Louisville. He was involved in the redevelopment of Louisville's historic Whiskey Row, a block of 19th-century cast-iron buildings on Main Street that had fallen into disrepair. The redevelopment project aimed to bring food, retail, and residential spaces to the area, contributing to the ongoing revitalization of Louisville's downtown core.

A leadership transition at 21c occurred in 2017 when co-founder Steve Wilson stepped down from his role, with the company subsequently naming new brand leadership. Greenberg continued his association with 21c before eventually stepping away from the company to pursue political ambitions.

Ohio Valley Wrestling

In January 2021, Greenberg and Matt Jones, a Kentucky sports radio host known for the Kentucky Sports Radio program, jointly purchased Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), a professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville. OVW had historically served as a developmental territory for WWE and had a decades-long presence in the Louisville entertainment scene. The purchase represented Greenberg's continued interest in Louisville-based businesses and cultural institutions.

Mayoral Campaign

Announcement and Primary

In April 2021, Greenberg announced his candidacy for mayor of Louisville, entering a competitive Democratic primary field. He positioned himself as a business leader with experience in job creation and urban development, drawing on his track record with 21c Museum Hotels and his involvement in Louisville's downtown revitalization efforts.

Greenberg won the Democratic primary election on May 17, 2022, securing the party's nomination for the general election.

Assassination Attempt

On February 14, 2022, during the primary campaign, Greenberg was the target of an assassination attempt at his campaign headquarters in the Butchertown neighborhood of Louisville. Shots were fired at Greenberg inside the office, and a bullet grazed his clothing, but he was not physically injured.

Quintez Brown, a local activist and college student who had previously been a columnist for The Courier-Journal, was arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting. The incident drew national media attention, both for the shooting itself and for subsequent developments in the case. Brown was released from jail after the Louisville Community Bail Fund posted his bail, a decision that generated significant controversy and public debate about bail reform policies. The Associated Press covered the shooting as one of several high-profile incidents of political violence in the United States during the period.

General Election

In the November 2022 general election, Greenberg faced Republican nominee Bill Dieruf, the mayor of Jeffersontown, Kentucky. Greenberg won the election, securing the office of mayor for Louisville Metro. He was also endorsed by Louisville Business First, which noted his desire to make city government more responsive to residents. WFPL reported on his Democratic primary victory as a decisive step toward the mayor's office in the heavily Democratic city.

Mayoralty

Craig Greenberg was inaugurated as the 59th mayor of Louisville on January 2, 2023, succeeding Greg Fischer, who had served three terms. As mayor, Greenberg oversees the consolidated Louisville Metro Government, which encompasses both the city of Louisville and surrounding Jefferson County.

Public Safety

Public safety has been a central focus of Greenberg's administration. In his 2026 State of the City address, delivered on February 12, 2026, Greenberg highlighted reductions in crime statistics as a key achievement of his tenure. The address, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, emphasized data showing improvements in public safety metrics during his time in office. Spectrum News 1 reported that Greenberg touted crime statistics and homeless services as among his administration's successes.

Greenberg also made changes to the leadership of the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC), sharing an update regarding a leadership change at the facility in July 2025.

Economic Development

Economic development has been another major priority of Greenberg's administration. In December 2025, Greenberg announced that Foxconn, the world's largest electronics manufacturer, would invest $173 million in a new consumer electronics manufacturing operation in Louisville. The announcement was framed as part of a broader "Made in America" strategy, with the company planning to launch a new production hub in the city.

The Greenberg administration has also pursued the revitalization of downtown Louisville. During his 2026 State of the City address, Greenberg revealed renderings for the planned transformation of the landmark Humana Tower, a postmodern skyscraper designed by architect Michael Graves, into a hotel property. His administration's 2026 General Assembly Agenda noted that Louisville Metro had "effectively deployed the General Assembly's $100 million investment in Downtown" and sought continued state support for revitalization efforts.

Infrastructure and Government Operations

In November 2025, Greenberg appointed Wesley Sydnor, P.E., as the new executive director of Louisville Metro Public Works, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage the city's infrastructure and government operations.

Community Programs

The Greenberg administration has also invested in community programming. In February 2026, Greenberg announced an expansion of spring youth sports leagues offered through Louisville Parks and Recreation, facilitated through a partnership with RCX Sports.

Personal Life

Craig Greenberg resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Rachel, and their two children. The family has been based in Louisville for many years, during which Greenberg built his business career and became involved in the city's civic life. Greenberg is a member of the Democratic Party.

The February 2022 assassination attempt during his mayoral campaign was a significant personal event for Greenberg and his family. Although a bullet struck his clothing during the incident, Greenberg emerged physically unharmed. He continued his campaign after the shooting and went on to win both the primary and general elections later that year.

Recognition

Greenberg's work with 21c Museum Hotels brought him recognition in the hospitality and business communities. The hotel chain's innovative model of combining contemporary art museums with boutique hotel accommodations was profiled by multiple business publications. His role in the redevelopment of Louisville's Whiskey Row and other downtown revitalization projects also contributed to his public profile in the Louisville business community.

His 2022 mayoral campaign and the associated assassination attempt generated extensive national media coverage, with the Associated Press, The Hill, and numerous regional outlets reporting on both the shooting and subsequent legal proceedings. Greenberg's election as mayor in November 2022 was covered by regional and national news organizations as a significant political event in Kentucky.

As mayor, Greenberg has continued to receive media attention for his administration's policy initiatives, particularly regarding economic development announcements such as the Foxconn investment and the Humana Tower redevelopment project.