Cherie Berry

Editorial Summary

(from candidate's website) Cherie Killian Berry was sworn in as North Carolina's first female labor commissioner on Jan. 6, 2001. She was elected to a second term in November 2004. Berry, a native of Catawba County, is the former business owner of LGM Ltd., a company that produces spark plug wires for the automotive industry. Employee safety is Berry's top priority. "I want to make North Carolina's work climate as safe as possible," Berry said. "There is a world of potential for this agency and for businesses across North Carolina. I am eager to see what we can accomplish." Commissioner Berry also believes the department and its 413 employees should strive for a service-oriented approach that provides concrete benefits to employers and employees. "We want to provide a real service to every business and every worker in the state of North Carolina," Berry said. Commissioner Berry received the 2007 Holmes-McBride Memorial Award from the N.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs for her contributions to improve the agricultural fairs throughout the state. In 2005, the N.C. Manufacturer's Association awarded Commissioner Berry the Chairman's Award for her outstanding contributions and dedicated service to the business community and citizens of North Carolina. She was also was named the 2004 State Official of the Year by the National Home Builders Association. The award recognizes her strong commitment to safety and health in the home building industry. In 2003, she received the "Build with the Best" Pinnacle Award from the Carolinas Associated General Contractors for her contributions to the betterment of the construction industry and to the economic welfare of North Carolina. Commissioner Berry served in the N.C. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2000, representing the state's 45th district. The district encompasses portions of Catawba, Gaston and Lincoln counties. Commissioner Berry was born in Newton. She is the daughter of Lena Carrigan Killian and the late Earl Killian. She was married to the late Norman H. Berry Jr. The couple has four children. The N.C. Department of Labor is charged by statute with promoting the "health, safety, and general well-being" of more than 4 million workers across the state. The laws and programs it administers affect every worker — and virtually every person — in the state. The Constitution of North Carolina provides for the election of a commissioner of labor every four years. The commissioner is head of the Department of Labor and also serves as a member of the Council of State. North Carolina law gives the commissioner broad regulatory authority and enforcement powers to carry out the department's duties to the people.