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Summer 2010 • Volume 16, Issue 3

JEANNE CYRIAQUE ’72: Hunting for history in the South | Obama nominates JAMES SHADID ’79 for federal bench | DAVID BETEBENNER ’81: LAS Distinguished Alum | LISA FIELDING ’89: Chicago anchor | JONATHON ROMAIN ’90: Painting with a purpose | Bradley buddies BOB KNOTT ’91, JEFF HOFFMANN ’91, ELLIOT BARETZ ’91 run top Chicago company | TED BERGER ’03: Passion for public service | CARRIE SEBREE ’99: You’re invited | JACQUELYN KIMMEL ’09: New honors for grad

Passion for public service
TED BERGER ’03 assisted with logistics during President Barack Obama’s visit to Springfield in February 2009.

By ERIN WOOD ’09

TED BERGER ’03 was recently promoted to chief of staff at the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, where he helps manage its 10 divisions. The agency’s mission is to reduce death, injury, and property loss from fires, explosions, and other hazards. Previously, Ted directed legislative affairs for the fire marshal’s office and managed the agency’s lobbying efforts.

Ted also has spent the past seven years as a volunteer and part-time firefighter/EMT and currently is a lieutenant for the North Park Fire Protection District in Machesney Park.

In the fall of 2008, Ted worked on the national advance staff with the Obama for America campaign and helped coordinate logistics for events across the country. Since February 2009, as a volunteer White House associate advance staff member, Ted has assisted with logistics for official visits by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other White House officials. Ted helped with Biden’s recent visit to Peoria and Obama’s recent visit to Quincy.

A political science major and Sigma Nu at Bradley, Ted’s passion for politics and the fire service grew while he was on campus. Ted served as student body president and also was a volunteer West Peoria firefighter and interned for former Peoria Mayor Dave Ransburg.

“I owe my diverse career path to my life at BU,” Ted said. “Bradley taught me the value of volunteerism and civic engagement. Those opportunities have guided my professional endeavors.”