Virg Bernero
Mayor of Lansing, Michigan
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is the chief executive of Michigan's fifth largest city. Now in his seventh year as mayor, Bernero tackles the challenges of today's economy with a fierce determination to bring common sense reforms to government and to create a favorable business climate for new, job-creating investments. His current term expires in 2013.
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Mayor Bernero with Bob Trezise, Economic Development Director in front of the Ottawa Street Power Station |
Under Mayor Bernero's leadership, Lansing has leveraged more than $700 million dollars in new investment that will retain and create more than 7,000 jobs. Even in the face of serious revenue losses and rising costs, Bernero has erased more than $42 million in city budget deficits without raising taxes by making government more efficient and more accountable.
When the U.S. auto industry was on the brink of collapse, Bernero catapulted onto the national stage as a leading spokesman and champion for Michigan's automotive companies and their workers. In scores of appearances on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and CBS, Bernero warned that the failure of the U.S. auto industry would push our nation's economy — and the lives of countless Michigan families — right over the cliff.
To create a stronger voice for Michigan and our numerous automotive communities, Bernero formed a national alliance of automotive mayors to press Congress and the White House to support manufacturing and to assist Michigan's recovery from economic disaster.
Bernero and his Mayors Automotive Coalition colleagues continue to work directly with the Obama Administration and Congress to bring critical federal aid back to Michigan to help redevelop closed automotive sites and create new jobs for displaced workers.
Virg Bernero is a seasoned veteran of Michigan's political scene, having served previously as a county commissioner and as a state representative and senator in the Michigan Legislature. He also served as the executive director of a statewide non-profit association that helps families and children with mental illness. In 2010 he was the Democratic nominee for governor of Michigan.
Bernero is the proud son of a GM retiree and Italian immigrant who lived the American Dream and provided for his family of five by running a grocery business and then taking a job with GM.
Virg and his wife Teri, an elementary school principal, live in Lansing. They have two daughters, Kelly and Virginia.
