Carol Berz

Dr. Carol Berz, (age 79), is a Professional Mediator and Chattanooga City Council woman. She has been a community activist and served on advisory boards for the city and state government since moving to Chattanooga.

Education and personal life

Carol spent her early life in Atlanta, before earning a Bachelors in Social work in Chattanooga. She went on in the UT School System to obtain a Masters in Policy, Planning, and Administration, and a Doctorate. She pursued her J.D. at the Nashville School of Law, and took part in Leadership America. She relocated to Chattanooga after marrying, and has four grown children.

Employment background

Carol Berz has a career spanning several disciplines, beginning as Director of Forensic Services for Joseph W Johnson Mental Health Center. While at Joseph W Johnson, she was promoted to Executive Director of the organization. After a stint teaching Policy and Ethics as a visiting professor at UTC, she went on to have successful career as a professional mediator, owning her own firm and earning the 2014 Grayfield Gray Public Service in Mediation Award from the Chattanooga Human Rights/Relations Commission.

Civic engagement and political career

Carol Berz has been part of a number of civic organizations and government committees throughout her life. She has been President or Chairwoman of: Mediation Association of Tennessee, Chattanooga Human Right's Commission, the Tennesse Economic Council on Women, Board of Managers of the Hamilton Family YMCA, and the Chattanooga City Council. Throughout her career, she has had a reputation for placing using her mediation background to approaching committee work in a solutions oriented way. She was first elected in the 6th district in 2009, with no opponent in her 2013 re-election bid. She has been the City Council Chairwoman in the 2015-2016 fiscal year and is currently chairing the Budget and Finance committee.