40 Facts About Greg Fischer

Gregory Edward Fischer was born on January 14,1958 and is an American businessman and entrepreneur who served as the second mayor of Louisville Metro from 2011 to 2023.

Greg Fischer was born in Louisville to Mary Lee and George Greg Fischer, graduates of Loretto and Flaget High School in Louisville, respectively, and has four siblings.

Greg Fischer attended Trinity High School in the city and graduated in 1976.

Greg Fischer has since been inducted as a member of the school's hall of fame.

Greg Fischer co-founded SerVend International with his father, George, and brother, Mark.

In 2000, Greg Fischer co-founded bCatalyst, a business accelerator that evolved into a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm.

Greg Fischer was an investor and board member with MedVenture Technology.

Until 2011, Greg Fischer was part owner of Dant Clayton Corporation, a sports stadium design, manufacturing, and construction company with prominent sports-related projects around the US In addition to his other ventures, he now serves as founder and chairman of Iceberg Ventures, a private investment firm in Louisville.

Greg Fischer held chapter offices, including chapter chair, in the Young Presidents' Organization Bluegrass chapter in 1997 and 1998.

In 2007, Greg Fischer was awarded the first-ever Bluegrass YPO "Best of the Best" award for community contribution in 2007 for lifelong community service.

Greg Fischer has endowed scholarships at Trinity High School and the University of Louisville.

In 2006, Greg Fischer received the Catholic Schools Distinguished Alumni Award from the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Greg Fischer has been a guest lecturer at MIT and the University of Louisville, and was an executive in residence at Indiana University Southeast in 1999 and 2000.

Greg Fischer has served as a past board member of Crane House, an Asian cultural institute in Louisville, and Greater Louisville Inc.

Greg Fischer was one of seven candidates in the 2008 Democratic primary for the US Senate in Kentucky.

Greg Fischer ran a five-month campaign and finished second with 34 percent of the vote.

Greg Fischer announced his candidacy for mayor of Louisville Metro in July 2009.

On March 24,2017, Greg Fischer announced to a group of reporters that he would seek a third term in 2018.

Greg Fischer was sworn in as the second Mayor of Louisville Metro Government, and the 50th Mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, on January 3,2011.

Greg Fischer launched efforts to foster a data-driven approach towards government efficiency.

Greg Fischer's administration focused on building the economy and creating opportunities for residents.

Early in his tenure, Greg Fischer convened a committee of residents to identify opportunities in the food and beverage industries, culminating in a 2013 report and the coining of the phrase "bourbonism".

Greg Fischer's administration focused on attracting investment to lower-income neighborhoods, resulting in about $1.4 billion of investment in west Louisville.

Greg Fischer focused on scaling Louisville's technology industry and talent pool.

In 2013, Greg Fischer worked to launch Code Louisville, a nationally recognized program that offers free coding training to Louisville residents.

In June 2019, Greg Fischer announced further efforts to scale Louisville's tech talent development efforts.

In 2014, Greg Fischer cut ties with the regional commerce organization Greater Louisville Inc.

Greg Fischer then created a new Economic Development branch, Louisville Forward, creating 3,500 jobs and close to $500,000,000 in local investments its first 10 months, while being named one of the nation's top 10 economic development groups.

Greg Fischer led Louisville through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greg Fischer met the Dalai Lama again in 2018 during a working trip to India to promote compassion.

In June 2016, Greg Fischer's administration played a leading role in facilitating the events surrounding the funeral of Muhammad Ali.

In January 2019, Greg Fischer announced that the city's airport would be renamed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Later, Greg Fischer announced that Louisville's Commission on Public Art would begin a review of public works in the city and collect a list of works that could be seen as "honoring bigotry, racism, and slavery".

On June 12,2020, Greg Fischer said he would sign "Breonna's Law" after it was passed unanimously by city council members.

Greg Fischer called the LMPD's four-page incident report on Taylor's death "unacceptable", but did not call for the officers' arrest, citing the ongoing investigation by the Kentucky Attorney General.

On December 1,2020, Greg Fischer declared racism a public health crisis in Louisville.

In 2021, Greg Fischer's budget proposed quadrupling the city budget spending on public safety initiatives focused on community mobilization, prevention, intervention, enforcement, organizational change and development, and reentry programs.

Greg Fischer said that the city should hear from businesses, advocates, citizens, and faith groups before any changes were made.

On June 27,2017, Greg Fischer announced on Twitter that the city was already feeling negative effects of the ban, citing an "unnamed convention" that had allegedly chosen to move its venue elsewhere as a show of solidarity with the ban.

Greg Fischer said both groups were based in Chicago and one was a "medical association" and the other a "prestigious research association".