Entrepreneurial American Leadership Award
For his 21 years of visionary leadership and devotion to the social and economic wellbeing of Louisville, Kentucky.
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gh his first contribution to Louisville, Kentucky’s quality of life was delivering groceries from his family’s local store as a boy, Jerry Abramson went on to deliver cutting-edge health programs, multi-million dollar redevelopment efforts, and improvements in housing, safety, and education to his beloved hometown. Now in his 21st year as mayor of Louisville, Abramson has led the city to become a national model for high quality of life, a city named “America’s Most Livable Large City” by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. After earning his law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and serving two years in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971, Abramson returned to his hometown and quickly became involved in local government. Not only was Abramson twice elected to Louisville’s Board of Aldermen, the legislative branch of the city government, but he served two years as general counsel to Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown. These experiences left Abramson well versed in local politics and priorities and in 1985 he ran for and was elected mayor of Louisville.
Throughout the next twelve years of Abramson’s three consecutive terms as mayor, Louisville experienced historic growth and economic progress. Most notably, Abramson spearheaded a $700 million expansion of the Louisville International Airport, resulting in improved airline service and the creation of 23,000 new jobs at the UPS WorldPort hub, now the largest private employer in Kentucky. Abramson was vital to the creation of Waterfront Park, an award-winning 85 acres of green space in a bustling urban waterfront neighborhood. This ‘green front door’ attracts 1.5 million visitors annually. Under Abramson’s leadership, the mixed-income Park DuValle neighborhood replaced crime-plagued housing and is often cited as one of the federal Hope VI program’s greatest success stories.
Shortly after his final term as mayor of the city of Louisville, Abramson led the successful effort to consolidate city and county governments into a single, more efficient government. In 2002, Abramson was elected the first mayor of Louisville Metro with an overwhelming 74 percent of the votes. With his increased constituency came increased efforts to improve the livability of the region, including the addition of 4,000 acres of suburban parkland, a 100-mile Louisville Loop trail, and a new riverfront arena. Abramson supported the creation of MetroSafe, a $70 million communications network that links more than 4,000 police, fire, EMS and other emergency responders throughout the region. The Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement unites diverse community partners to encourage increased physical activity and healthy eating for local residents.
Dubbed “Mayor for Life,” Jerry Abramson has led Louisville into the 21st century as a lively center of growth. His entrepreneurial drive and passion for the community make him a true leader in livability.