U.S. Department of Agriculture Names Andy Berke as Rural Utilities Service Administrator

Andy Berke has been appointed by President Biden to serve as Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Most recently, Berke served as a Special Representative for Broadband at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the Department of Commerce. Prior to joining NTIA, Berke served as Mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee, from 2013 to 2021, during which he established a first-of-its-kind program to expand free high-speed internet service to families with children receiving free or reduced lunch at school. In addition, his administration launched efforts to reduce poverty, improve aging infrastructure and increase the use of clean energy. During his time as Mayor, Berke was named a Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County magazine, and City Executive of the Year by State Scoop. He was also awarded the Digital Inclusion Award from Next Century Cities in 2017.