Kerry Roberts
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23rd district (2023–present)
Kerry Roberts | |
|---|---|
 Roberts in 2017 | |
| Member of the Tennessee Senate | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Summerville |
| Constituency | 25th district (2015–2023) 23rd district (2023–present) |
| In office March 8, 2011 – January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Ferrell Haile |
| Succeeded by | Ferrell Haile |
| Constituency | 18th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 9, 1961 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Dianne Roberts |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Lipscomb University |
| Occupation | Certified Public Accountant |
| Website | www |
Kerry E. Roberts (born October 9, 1961)[1] is a Republican member of the Tennessee Senate for the 23rd district,[2] which includes Robertson County, Dickson County, Cheatham County, Humphreys County, Hickman County, and a small northeastern portion of Montgomery County.[3] In January 2020, Roberts left his weekly radio show on Springfield's WDBL and moved to Nashville's WLAC[4] morning show, "The Tennessee Star Report".[5] In October 2021, Roberts rode his bicycle 100 miles to raise money and awareness for Humphreys County flood victims.[6]
Born in Bedford, Indiana, Kerry graduated from Bloomington High School North in 1979 and Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1983.[7][8]
Roberts has been married to his wife, Dianne, since August 1987. They have three children, all of whom attended public schools. He is a member of the Church of Christ.[7] Roberts lives in Springfield, Tennessee.
Roberts was hospitalized with a brain aneurysm on October 9, 2020.[9] He was ultimately diagnosed with a non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and fully recovered.[10]
Work history
After graduation from Lipscomb University, Roberts worked for Touche Ross and Company (now Deloitte). In 1985, he started his own accounting practice which he sold in 1990.[citation needed]
In 1990, Roberts opened a chain of bicycle stores. Roberts also served as President and Chairman of the National Bicycle Dealers Association. He closed his stores as a result of losses incurred by the 2010 Tennessee floods.[11]
Roberts now[when?] owns Resource Network LLC, a company that provides accounting, finance, and technology professionals on a temporary or contract basis.[12]
Committee assignments
Roberts previously served on the Health, Government Operations, and Environment and Tourism Senate committees. He was Secretary of the Health Committee.
In January 2019, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally appointed Roberts to be Chairman of the Senate Committee for Government Operations and reappointed Roberts to the Senate Judiciary Committee.[13]
Legislative accomplishments
Roberts sponsored legislation to create a “supplemental insurance program — commonly called a Katie Beckett waiver — to assist families of children with medically complex needs, regardless of their income.” Started by President Ronald Reagan, Tennessee was the last state to adopt a Katie Beckett waiver.[14]
Roberts sponsored the Fresh Start Act to “ensure that licensing authorities do not deny applications for professional licenses due to prior criminal convictions unless they are directly related to the profession, with the exception of certain felonies.” [15][16]