Michael E. Berry is a native Kentuckian and a resident of Louisville. Mike holds a BA in American Studies and from Georgetown College (1983) and is a 1979 graduate of Louisville’s Waggener High School.

In December of 2019, Governor Andy Beshear appointed Berry as Secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet where he served until retiring in February 2023. Berry is currently serving as a Governor’s appointment to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and the Kentucky State Fair Board.

Berry previously served in the Office of Governor Martha Layne Collins as an Administrative Assistant and Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Cabinet from 1983-1986. He began a thirty-three-year career with the Kentucky Derby Festival in 1986, becoming its President and Chief Executive Officer in 1997. The longest-serving CEO in the history of the organization, Mike retired in October of 2019.

Mike is a former member of the General Grand Chapter Board of Trustees (2003-2012) and served as Right Worthy Grand Treasurer (2012-2018). He is currently the Right Worthy Associate Grand Patron and is a Past Grand Patron of Kentucky (1995-96).