Episode 200. Jerry E. Abramson -Former Mayor of Louisville Metro and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the White House for President Barack Obama
A passion for service fuels Jerry Abramson.
Jerry’s career spans decades of serving the public – from local and state levels to the White House. His passion for making a difference now focuses on educating future generations.
As the executive in residence at Bellarmine University, Jerry is developing a new Institute for local and state government leadership, which will train elected officials from across the nation. In addition, he teaches undergraduate courses in leadership and community development.
He served as deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs from November 2014 to January 2017. In this role, he oversaw the Obama administration’s domestic agenda with state, city, county and tribal elected officials across the country.
As lieutenant governor of Kentucky, alongside Governor Steve Beshear from 2011 to 2014, he chaired the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform in 2012 and focused his efforts on education and economic development.
Prior to entering state government, Jerry held the role of the longest-serving mayor of Louisville, Ky., with 21 years of service from (2003-2011) & (1986-1999), earning the nickname “Mayor for Life.” In 1993, he was president of the United States Conference of Mayors. He also led the successful consolidation of the city of Louisville and Jefferson county governments.
Jerry started his public service as an alderman of the city of Louisville for two terms, and thereafter as counsel to the governor of Kentucky, John Y. Brown, Jr. In the private sector, Jerry practiced law with Greenebaum Doll & McDonald, and thereafter with Frost Brown Todd.
He served on the board of directors of the Brown-Forman Corporation from 1999 to 2003.
Throughout his career, he taught classes at the University of Louisville’s School of Law and Bellarmine University and was a guest lecturer at a myriad of colleges and universities.
Jerry and his wife reside in Louisville, Ky.