About Senator Fred Berry
Senate Majority Leader Berry is a life-long resident of Peabody. He is currently serving his 14th term in the Massachusetts State Senate, proudly representing the communities of Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Topsfield. He has served as Majority Leader since being appointed to the position in 2003.
Senator Berry attended Bishop Fenwick High School in his hometown of Peabody, Massachusetts. After receiving his Bachelor of Science from the School of Management at Boston College School, he joined the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) for two years of service in Corpus Christi, Texas. He later received a Masters Degree in Education from Antioch College.
Before serving in the Massachusetts Senate, Senator Berry was a rehabilitation professional at the Hogan Vocational Center, a setting for adults with developmental disabilities. He later served as Executive Director for Heritage Industries, which provides day programs for individuals with physical and mental challenges. Through his work and advocacy for the disabled community, he was drawn to serve a larger audience. He held a Councilor-at-Large seat on the Peabody City Council for four years and was the top vote getter in his first election.
Since being elected to the Senate in 1982, Senator Berry has served the Senate in a variety of leadership roles including, Senate Assistant Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Chairman of the Committee on Steering and Policy, and the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing and Urban Development.
Senator Berry also served as the Senate Chairman of the Legislative Children’s Caucus for eleven years. Working with this Caucus, Senator Berry was the lead sponsor of legislation that created the highly successful Children’s Trust Fund, which funds child abuse prevention programs in Massachusetts.
Senator Berry has been a staunch supporter of quality, affordable, public higher education during his tenure in the Senate, working closely with Salem State College and North Shore Community College to ensure their long term success. Additionally, Senator Berry is a strong advocate and champion of early learning initiatives, such as Early Intervention, a program that provides resources and guidance to children with developmental delays.
Senator Berry is also the founder and President of F.B. Charities Inc., a charitable organization that funds social and educational programs for children on the North Shore. F.B. Charities has raised over $1 million towards its mission.
Senator Berry currently lives in Peabody with his wife, Gayle Berry.
