Former Mayor Richard (RJ) Berry served as the mayor of Albuquerque from 2009 to 2017. Known for his nonpartisan approach to government, Berry’s administration created taxpayer savings exceeding $34 million dollars. His “Better Way” initiative received national attention as it hired the homeless to clean the city and connected them to needed resources and treatments. In his role on the Kauffman Mayors’ Council, Berry works with other mayors to establish a foundation for strong entrepreneurial activity in their communities. Berry currently lives in Albuquerque with his wife Maria, where he is continuing his business endeavors and serving as a board member within a variety of organizations.