Introductory Bio for Tim Berry
Tim Berry was elected Indiana's 54th State Auditor in 2006, with his inauguration taking place on January 12, 2007. As Auditor of State, Tim is the Chief Financial Officer for the Government of the State of Indiana. Auditor Berry has four primary duties including accounting for all of the State's funds; overseeing and disbursing county, city, town and school tax distributions; paying the State's bills; and paying the State's employees. His office composes and publishes the "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report" (CAFR) for the State of Indiana. The Auditor also publishes an annual report to the citizens of Indiana concerning the State's Finances.
Auditor Berry also sits on a number of state boards including the State Board of Finance (Secretary), the Board for Depositories and oversees the Administration of the State of Indiana Deferred Compensation Plan.
Prior to his election as Auditor, Tim had served as Indiana's 51st State Treasurer for two terms. First being elected Treasurer in 1998 and then being elected again in 2002. A fiscal conservative, Treasurer Berry kept taxpayers first through the efficient and prudent investment of tax dollars, earning record investment income in excess of $1.3 billion during his tenure. Recognizing that taxpayers deserve a government that is equipped to do more with less, Berry returned 13% of his budget appropriation back to the state general fund during his tenure, the largest percentage of any statewide officeholder. As Treasurer, Berry rejuvenated the Indiana Bond Bank and its' mission of assisting local units of government in obtaining low-cost financing. As chair of the Bond Bank, Berry oversaw record growth in all of its' programs, saving millions of taxpayer dollars for communities throughout Indiana.
Treasurer Berry's leadership has been recognized by many across the country, as he served as 2004 President of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), Chair of the College Savings Plans Network (CSPN), awarded the 2005 Jesse Unruh Distinguished State Treasurer award, the 2003 Presidential Award by the Association of Public-Safety Officials (APCO), is a 2003 recipient of the American Heart Association's Heartsaver Award, and in 2000 the Indianapolis Business Journal recognized him with their "40 under 40" designation. Berry has been a resource to members of Congress, testifying before the Senate Banking Committee on mutual fund regulations, and testifying in the House Commerce subcommittee in regards to wireless enhanced 911 on behalf of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
As treasurer, Berry served as the Chair of the Indiana Education Savings Authority (IESA), and worked to provide greater opportunities and incentives for Hoosiers to save and invest for higher education. Under his leadership, the investment options have been expanded, fees have been reduced and participation has grown dramatically in the CollegeChoice 529 Investment Plan and in 2006 Treasurer Berry helped pass legislation for the State's first tax credit for contributions made to the CollegeChoice 529 plan.
Tim Berry is proud of Indiana 's national leadership role in providing a safety net for Hoosiers when calling 911 from their wireless phone. As Chair of the Wireless Enhanced 911 Advisory Board, Treasurer Berry led the effort to provide over $83 million to counties across the state allowing them to upgrade their systems and receive wireless 911 calls. Additionally, in 91 counties the precise location of where the 911 call is originating is able to be provided to the 911 dispatcher, reducing the time to respond to an emergency, thus saving and improving lives in the process.
Tim Berry is a 1980 graduate of Fort Wayne Wayne High School and a member of Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne . He serves as Treasurer of the Fishers Youth Hockey Association, where his son Ian who is Ten plays. Tim and his wife Kim are the proud parents of two sons, Ian, age ten and Colin who is five. Tim holds a BS in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and a MBA from Indiana University . Kim serves as the State Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
