Andy Berke

Andy Berke
Born	Andrew Lawrence Berke 31 3, 1968
Birthplace	Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, politician
Known for	73rd Mayor of Chattanooga; broadband and digital inclusion initiatives
Education	Stanford University (BA) University of Chicago Law School (JD)
Spouse(s)	Monique Prado

Andrew Lawrence Berke (born March 31, 1968) is an American attorney, politician, and public administrator who served as the 73rd Mayor of Chattanooga from 2013 to 2021 and was appointed by President Joe Biden as Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in October 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Berke first entered public office as a Tennessee state senator representing the 10th district, which encompassed Hamilton and Marion counties, serving from 2007 to 2012. As mayor of Chattanooga, Berke became closely associated with the city's efforts to leverage its municipal fiber-optic network to spur economic development, promote digital inclusion, and position Chattanooga as a technology hub. His tenure saw significant municipal government reorganization, pension reform, and investments in workforce development. Born and raised in Chattanooga, Berke's career has been defined by his deep ties to the city and his commitment to using technology and infrastructure as tools for urban revitalization.

Early Life

Andrew Lawrence Berke was born on March 31, 1968, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He grew up in Chattanooga, a mid-sized city in southeastern Tennessee situated along the Tennessee River at the foot of Lookout Mountain. During Berke's youth, Chattanooga was in the midst of a prolonged period of economic transition, as traditional manufacturing industries that had long formed the backbone of the local economy were declining. The city faced significant environmental and economic challenges throughout the 1970s and 1980s, which would later inform Berke's approach to governance and economic development.

Berke's upbringing in Chattanooga gave him firsthand knowledge of both the city's struggles and its potential. The city had gained national attention in the late 1960s for being cited by the federal government as having some of the worst air pollution in the United States, a designation that eventually catalyzed a broad civic effort at environmental cleanup and downtown revitalization. These transformation efforts, which continued throughout Berke's formative years, would later serve as a foundation for the technology-driven economic development strategies he pursued as mayor.

Education

After completing his secondary education in Tennessee, Berke attended Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Chicago Law School, one of the nation's top-ranked law programs, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education at the University of Chicago provided him with a foundation in law and policy that would shape his subsequent career in both the private sector and public service. Following law school, Berke returned to Tennessee to practice law, maintaining his connection to his home state and eventually entering politics.

Career

Tennessee State Senate (2007–2012)

Berke began his career in elected office when he was chosen to represent the 10th district in the Tennessee State Senate, succeeding Ward Crutchfield. The 10th district encompassed Hamilton County, which includes Chattanooga, as well as Marion County. Berke served in the state senate from 2007 to 2012, during which time he was a member of the Democratic caucus in a legislature increasingly dominated by the Republican Party.

During his time in the Tennessee General Assembly, Berke developed a reputation as a legislator focused on economic and fiscal issues. His tenure in the state senate provided him with experience in state-level policymaking and legislative negotiation, skills that would prove useful in his subsequent role as mayor. Upon his departure from the state senate, he was succeeded by Todd Gardenhire, a Republican, reflecting the broader political shift taking place across Tennessee and the American South during this period.

2013 Mayoral Campaign

In May 2012, Berke formally announced his candidacy for mayor of Chattanooga, seeking to succeed the incumbent Ron Littlefield. His campaign emphasized themes of economic growth, government efficiency, and leveraging Chattanooga's existing infrastructure—particularly its municipally owned fiber-optic network operated by the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga (EPB)—to attract new businesses and create jobs.

On March 5, 2013, Berke won the mayoral election in a decisive victory, capturing more than 72 percent of the vote. The landslide margin reflected broad community support for his vision of modernizing city government and pursuing technology-driven economic development. Berke was inaugurated as the 73rd mayor of Chattanooga on April 15, 2013, succeeding Ron Littlefield.

Mayor of Chattanooga (2013–2021)

Government Reorganization

Upon taking office, Berke moved quickly to restructure Chattanooga's municipal government. He presented a reorganization plan to the Chattanooga City Council, which was approved by the legislative body. The reorganization was aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing bureaucratic redundancy, and improving the delivery of city services to residents. This early initiative signaled Berke's intention to bring a more streamlined, results-oriented approach to municipal governance.

Pension Reform

One of the significant fiscal challenges facing Chattanooga when Berke took office was the city's pension obligations. The Berke administration developed a pension reform proposal that was projected to save Chattanooga approximately $227 million over time. The reform effort addressed long-term structural liabilities in the city's retirement system and was considered a major fiscal achievement of the Berke administration. By tackling the pension issue, Berke sought to put the city on a more sustainable financial footing and free up resources for investment in services and infrastructure.

Economic Development and Job Growth

Economic development was a central priority throughout Berke's tenure as mayor. Under his leadership, Chattanooga pursued strategies aimed at diversifying the local economy, attracting new employers, and supporting the growth of existing businesses. The city tracked and reported on job creation metrics as part of its economic development efforts.

A significant economic development milestone during Berke's first term was Volkswagen's announcement that it would produce a new vehicle at its Chattanooga manufacturing plant. The Volkswagen plant, which had opened in 2011, was one of the largest employers in the region, and the decision to expand production there represented a vote of confidence in Chattanooga's workforce and business environment. The city also experienced wage growth that outpaced most other cities during this period, a metric that the Berke administration highlighted as evidence of the effectiveness of its economic strategies.

Broadband and the "Gig City"

Perhaps the defining theme of Berke's mayoral tenure was his effort to leverage Chattanooga's gigabit-speed internet infrastructure as an economic development tool. Chattanooga had become the first city in the Western Hemisphere to offer citywide gigabit-per-second internet service through its municipally owned utility, EPB. Berke recognized this asset as a competitive advantage and worked to brand Chattanooga as the "Gig City," using the high-speed network to attract technology companies, entrepreneurs, and startups.

Berke frequently spoke publicly about the role that gigabit-speed internet played in reviving Chattanooga's economy. In a 2016 interview, he discussed how the broadband infrastructure had helped transform the city from a struggling post-industrial center into a hub for innovation and technology-related businesses. The city's broadband capabilities attracted national and international attention, positioning Chattanooga as a model for how municipal broadband could drive economic growth.

The Berke administration also established a dedicated innovation district and created institutional structures to support technology-driven economic development. This innovation district was intended to concentrate technology businesses, startups, and related support services in a designated area of the city, creating a critical mass of entrepreneurial activity and facilitating collaboration among technology-focused firms and organizations.

Berke discussed his broader vision for Chattanooga's future in various forums, including a 2016 appearance where he outlined his goals for the city's continued development. His approach to technology-driven urban development also led some observers to speculate about his potential for higher office, with at least one profile identifying him as a possible future candidate for governor of Tennessee.

Digital Inclusion and Tech Goes Home Chattanooga

A central component of Berke's technology agenda was digital inclusion—ensuring that the benefits of Chattanooga's broadband infrastructure reached all residents, including those in low-income communities. The Berke administration recognized that access to high-speed internet alone was insufficient; residents also needed affordable service, devices, and digital literacy training to fully participate in the digital economy.

To address this challenge, the city launched the Tech Goes Home Chattanooga program, a digital inclusion initiative designed to provide families with access to computers, internet connectivity, and training. The program focused particularly on families with school-age children, recognizing the educational implications of the digital divide. In partnership with EPB, the city established discounted internet service plans for students and families, making broadband more accessible to lower-income households.

Berke's focus on digital inclusion was framed as both an equity issue and an economic development strategy. By ensuring that all residents could access and use the internet effectively, the administration sought to expand the pool of digitally skilled workers, improve educational outcomes, and reduce socioeconomic disparities. The initiative received recognition from national organizations focused on education technology and digital equity.

Smart City Initiatives

Beyond broadband, the Berke administration pursued broader smart city initiatives that sought to use technology and data to improve municipal services and quality of life. Chattanooga's efforts in this area were noted in national publications covering municipal innovation. These initiatives built on the city's existing technological infrastructure and reflected Berke's vision of using innovation as a tool for governance and community improvement.

Response to the 2015 Chattanooga Shootings

On July 16, 2015, Chattanooga was struck by a domestic terrorism attack when a gunman opened fire on two military installations in the city, killing five service members. The shootings at a military recruiting center and a U.S. Navy Reserve facility drew national attention and placed Berke in the role of leading the community's response to tragedy. In the aftermath of the attack, Berke worked to coordinate the city's emergency response, communicate with federal authorities, and support the families of the victims. The incident tested the mayor's crisis leadership and brought Chattanooga into the national spotlight under deeply somber circumstances.

Re-election in 2017

Berke sought and won re-election as mayor on March 7, 2017, securing a second four-year term. His re-election reflected continued public support for the direction in which he had taken the city during his first term. Berke served until April 19, 2021, when he was succeeded by Tim Kelly, completing eight years as mayor.

Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (2022–present)

On October 6, 2022, President Joe Biden appointed Berke to serve as Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Rural Utilities Service is a federal agency responsible for providing loans, grants, and loan guarantees for the development of rural electric, telecommunications, and water and waste infrastructure across the United States. Berke's appointment to lead the agency was seen as a natural extension of his work in Chattanooga, where he had championed broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion as tools for economic development.

In his role at the USDA, Berke oversees programs that provide critical infrastructure financing to rural communities throughout the country. The position placed him at the center of the Biden administration's efforts to expand broadband access to underserved rural areas, a priority that aligned closely with the work Berke had done as mayor of Chattanooga. His experience with municipal broadband deployment and digital inclusion initiatives provided him with practical knowledge directly applicable to the federal agency's mission of improving telecommunications infrastructure in rural America.

Personal Life

Andy Berke is married to Monique Prado. The couple resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the city where Berke was born and raised. Berke has maintained deep roots in the Chattanooga community throughout his career, returning to the city after completing his education at Stanford University and the University of Chicago Law School.

Berke's identity as a Chattanooga native has been a recurring theme in his public life. His decision to return to his hometown after pursuing education at two of the nation's most prominent universities, and his subsequent career in local and state politics before entering federal service, reflect a sustained commitment to the community where he grew up. Throughout his time in public office, Berke has emphasized his personal connection to Chattanooga and his stake in its future as a resident and community member.

Recognition

During his tenure as mayor, Berke and the city of Chattanooga received significant national attention for their technology and broadband initiatives. Chattanooga's status as the "Gig City" and its pioneering deployment of gigabit-speed municipal broadband attracted coverage from major national news outlets and technology publications. Berke was profiled by OZY as a "rising star" in American politics, with the publication identifying him as a potential future candidate for governor of Tennessee.

Chattanooga's digital inclusion efforts, particularly the Tech Goes Home Chattanooga program and the city's discounted internet service for students, were recognized by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) as a model for how cities could address the digital divide while simultaneously pursuing economic development goals. The city's smart city initiatives were also featured in American City & County magazine, which highlighted Chattanooga's innovative approach to using technology in municipal governance.

Berke's focus on broadband-enabled economic development received coverage in The Tennessean, which explored how gigabit-speed internet had contributed to Chattanooga's economic revival, and in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, which documented the city's above-average wage growth during his tenure. His appointment as Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service in 2022 represented federal recognition of his expertise in broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion policy.

Legacy

Andy Berke's legacy is most closely associated with his role in positioning Chattanooga as a national model for municipal broadband and technology-driven economic development. When he took office in 2013, Chattanooga was already home to one of the most advanced municipal fiber-optic networks in the country, but it was under Berke's leadership that the city systematically leveraged this infrastructure to attract investment, create jobs, and address digital inequality.

The "Gig City" branding that Berke championed became synonymous with Chattanooga's identity during his tenure and continued to define the city's national reputation after he left office. The innovation district established during his administration provided an institutional framework for technology-focused economic development that extended beyond his time as mayor. Similarly, the digital inclusion programs he supported, including Tech Goes Home Chattanooga and discounted broadband for students, created models that other cities examined as they grappled with their own digital divides.

Berke's fiscal initiatives, particularly the pension reform projected to save the city $227 million, addressed structural financial challenges that had constrained Chattanooga's budget flexibility. His government reorganization effort streamlined city operations and established administrative structures that his successors inherited.

At the federal level, Berke's appointment to lead the Rural Utilities Service placed him in a position to apply the lessons of Chattanooga's broadband experience to the challenge of expanding telecommunications infrastructure in rural communities across the United States. His transition from municipal to federal service reflected a broader trend of city leaders bringing practical, technology-focused governance experience to national policy roles.

Berke's eight years as mayor coincided with a period of significant economic and demographic change in Chattanooga, as the city continued its multi-decade transformation from a struggling industrial center to a diversified economy with a growing technology sector. While the roots of this transformation predated his administration, Berke's emphasis on broadband, innovation, and digital inclusion accelerated the process and gave it a coherent strategic framework.