Richard J. Berry (born November 5, 1962) is the twenty-ninth and current
Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a former two term member of the New Mexico House of Representatives.
Berry was sworn into office on 1 December 2009, succeeding Democrat Martin Chávez. Berry is the first Republican Mayor of Albuquerque in over 30 years.
Richard Berry was born in Waterloo, Iowa on November 5, 1962. He was raised in Nebraska and graduated from Beatrice Senior High School in Beatrice, Nebraska in 1981. Berry moved to Albuquerque in 1982 to attend the University of New Mexico on academic and athletic scholarships (track & field, decathlon). While at the Anderson School of Management, he met his future wife, Maria Medina. Berry graduated with a degree in finance and administration.
Since graduating, he has become a successful entrepreneur in the construction industry.
In 2006, Berry ran for the 20th district of the New Mexico House of Representatives after Republican State Representative Ted Hobbes decided to retire. He won the June 6 Republican primary with 52% of the vote, defeating two other candidates. He won the general election unopposed. In 2008, he won re-election to a second term unopposed.
In 2009, Berry decided to run for Mayor of Albuquerque. He won the election with 44% of the popular vote. He defeated two Democrats: incumbent Mayor Martin Chávez (35%) and State Senator Richard Romero (21%).
Berry ran for re-election to a second term in 2013 and won re-election. Berry carried 69% of the vote, defeating Democrat Pete Dinelli and Republican Paul Heh.
Mayor Berry serves as the Chairman of the US Conference of Mayors Metro Economies Committee, as well as an elected member of the Advisory Board.In addition, he served as the Chairman of the Community Leaders of America (CLA) from 2013-2015.
Since taking over as Mayor, Berry has reduced government spending by over $140 million, while keeping services to the community intact and without layoffs. Berry's administration began immediately looking at ways to repair the budget and through careful analysis was able to cut out more than $800,000 in recurring costs from his administration. In addition, Mayor Berry has reduced the size of Government by over 300 positions, through attrition and vacancies. Without raising taxes, he has increased the city’s operating reserve percentage.
Mayor Berry initiated an "Efficiency, Stewardship, and Accountability" program that encourages employees of the City of Albuquerque to report areas of inefficiency or waste in city resources, offering a cash incentive to employees to encourage participation. As of 2015, the program has saved taxpayers over $20 million, and the number continues to grow.
Other innovations included switching to one provider for insurance, creating a savings of more than $4 million. The city has maintained its "AAA" S&P bond rating.
Despite the Albuquerque Police Department's focus on the drop in crime rates and other initiatives, a 2014 Justice Department investigation into APD's practices resulted in a report citing numerous violations of individuals' constitutional rights and stating that the "department engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force during the course of arrests and other detentions in violation of the Fourth Amendment and Section 14141."
The DOJ report includes specific examples of excessive and unnecessary use of force, from a random sample of 200 force reports during Mayor Berry's term between 2009-2013 and includes recommendations for revising department policies and practices The report was submitted to Mayor Berry, APD Chief Gordon Eden, and Albuquerque City Attorney David Tourek on April 10, 2014.
The report also notes that "Albuquerque police officers also often use less lethal force in an unconstitutional manner" and that "The use of excessive force by APD officers is not isolated or sporadic. The pattern or practice of excessive force stems from systemic deficiencies in oversight, training, and policy. Chief among these deficiencies is the department’s failure to implement an objective and rigorous internal accountability system. Force incidents are not properly investigated, documented, or addressed with corrective measures."
As of May 2015, more than a year after the DOJ report, APD's website does not outline any specific policy changes in response to the report, although it does provide a link directly to the reports.
Berry is an Eagle Scout, participating with his son who is also an Eagle Scout. Berry has received the Silver Beaver award by the Boy Scouts of America for his work as a registered adult leader who has made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it. He enjoys outdoor activities with his family including, hunting and fishing, snowboarding, water skiing, and other outdoor sports. Berry lettered in track in field while at the University of New Mexico. He participates in community and philanthropic events.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The high-altitude city serves as the county seat of Bernalillo County, and it is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population is 557,169 as of the July 1, 2014, population estimate from the United States Census Bureau, and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. The Albuquerque metropolitan statistical area (or MSA) has a population of 907,301 according to the United States Census Bureau's most recently available estimate for 2015.Albuquerque is the 60th-largest United States metropolitan area. The Albuquerque MSA population includes the city of Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Placitas, Corrales, Los Lunas, Belen, Bosque Farms, and forms part of the larger Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Las Vegas combined statistical area, with a total population of 1,163,964 as of the July 1, 2013 Census Bureau estimates.
Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM), Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), Presbyterian Health Services, and Petroglyph National Monument. The Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque, and the Rio Grande flows through the city, north to south. Albuquerque is also the home of the International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest such gathering of balloons from around the world. The event takes place during the first week of October.
Berry was sworn into office on 1 December 2009, succeeding Democrat Martin Chávez. Berry is the first Republican Mayor of Albuquerque in over 30 years.
Richard Berry was born in Waterloo, Iowa on November 5, 1962. He was raised in Nebraska and graduated from Beatrice Senior High School in Beatrice, Nebraska in 1981. Berry moved to Albuquerque in 1982 to attend the University of New Mexico on academic and athletic scholarships (track & field, decathlon). While at the Anderson School of Management, he met his future wife, Maria Medina. Berry graduated with a degree in finance and administration.
Since graduating, he has become a successful entrepreneur in the construction industry.
In 2006, Berry ran for the 20th district of the New Mexico House of Representatives after Republican State Representative Ted Hobbes decided to retire. He won the June 6 Republican primary with 52% of the vote, defeating two other candidates. He won the general election unopposed. In 2008, he won re-election to a second term unopposed.
In 2009, Berry decided to run for Mayor of Albuquerque. He won the election with 44% of the popular vote. He defeated two Democrats: incumbent Mayor Martin Chávez (35%) and State Senator Richard Romero (21%).
Berry ran for re-election to a second term in 2013 and won re-election. Berry carried 69% of the vote, defeating Democrat Pete Dinelli and Republican Paul Heh.
Mayor Berry serves as the Chairman of the US Conference of Mayors Metro Economies Committee, as well as an elected member of the Advisory Board.In addition, he served as the Chairman of the Community Leaders of America (CLA) from 2013-2015.
Since taking over as Mayor, Berry has reduced government spending by over $140 million, while keeping services to the community intact and without layoffs. Berry's administration began immediately looking at ways to repair the budget and through careful analysis was able to cut out more than $800,000 in recurring costs from his administration. In addition, Mayor Berry has reduced the size of Government by over 300 positions, through attrition and vacancies. Without raising taxes, he has increased the city’s operating reserve percentage.
Mayor Berry initiated an "Efficiency, Stewardship, and Accountability" program that encourages employees of the City of Albuquerque to report areas of inefficiency or waste in city resources, offering a cash incentive to employees to encourage participation. As of 2015, the program has saved taxpayers over $20 million, and the number continues to grow.
Other innovations included switching to one provider for insurance, creating a savings of more than $4 million. The city has maintained its "AAA" S&P bond rating.
Despite the Albuquerque Police Department's focus on the drop in crime rates and other initiatives, a 2014 Justice Department investigation into APD's practices resulted in a report citing numerous violations of individuals' constitutional rights and stating that the "department engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force during the course of arrests and other detentions in violation of the Fourth Amendment and Section 14141."
The DOJ report includes specific examples of excessive and unnecessary use of force, from a random sample of 200 force reports during Mayor Berry's term between 2009-2013 and includes recommendations for revising department policies and practices The report was submitted to Mayor Berry, APD Chief Gordon Eden, and Albuquerque City Attorney David Tourek on April 10, 2014.
The report also notes that "Albuquerque police officers also often use less lethal force in an unconstitutional manner" and that "The use of excessive force by APD officers is not isolated or sporadic. The pattern or practice of excessive force stems from systemic deficiencies in oversight, training, and policy. Chief among these deficiencies is the department’s failure to implement an objective and rigorous internal accountability system. Force incidents are not properly investigated, documented, or addressed with corrective measures."
As of May 2015, more than a year after the DOJ report, APD's website does not outline any specific policy changes in response to the report, although it does provide a link directly to the reports.
Berry is an Eagle Scout, participating with his son who is also an Eagle Scout. Berry has received the Silver Beaver award by the Boy Scouts of America for his work as a registered adult leader who has made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not actively seek it. He enjoys outdoor activities with his family including, hunting and fishing, snowboarding, water skiing, and other outdoor sports. Berry lettered in track in field while at the University of New Mexico. He participates in community and philanthropic events.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The high-altitude city serves as the county seat of Bernalillo County, and it is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population is 557,169 as of the July 1, 2014, population estimate from the United States Census Bureau, and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. The Albuquerque metropolitan statistical area (or MSA) has a population of 907,301 according to the United States Census Bureau's most recently available estimate for 2015.Albuquerque is the 60th-largest United States metropolitan area. The Albuquerque MSA population includes the city of Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Placitas, Corrales, Los Lunas, Belen, Bosque Farms, and forms part of the larger Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Las Vegas combined statistical area, with a total population of 1,163,964 as of the July 1, 2013 Census Bureau estimates.
Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM), Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), Presbyterian Health Services, and Petroglyph National Monument. The Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque, and the Rio Grande flows through the city, north to south. Albuquerque is also the home of the International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest such gathering of balloons from around the world. The event takes place during the first week of October.
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