LIEUTENANT GENERAL, (AR), (Retired), MARK H. BERRY
Lieutenant General (AR), (Retired) Mark H. Berry is a Conservative Republican Candidate for Senate District 26 formally held by Senator Gary Stubblefield. He enlisted in the Air Force in February 1974 and began Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas in August 1974. He subsequently began technical training as an Air Traffic Controller at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi. In April 1985, General Berry attended Officer Training School at Medina Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas with follow on training as an Air Traffic Control Officer. He separated from active duty in September 1992 and joined the Arkansas Air National Guard as a Public Affairs Officer. While assigned to the 188th Fighter Wing he served as Communications Flight Commander, Mission Support Group Commander and Maintenance Group Commander. In May 2012, General Berry received Federal Recognition as a Brigadier General and was assigned as Chief of Staff, Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas Joint Force Headquarters and the Pentagon as an Assistant to the Director, Air National Guard, Washington D.C. General Berry subsequently received Federal Recognition as a Major General while serving as the Adjutant General of Arkansas. General Berry also served on the Executive Board and one term as President of the National Guard Association of Arkansas. The General served as an Advisor to the Board of Directors for the Arkansas State Police Foundation for four years and was inducted into the Arkansas State Police Foundation Hall of Fame. In 2023 General Berry was awarded the Arkansas State Police Foundation Legislator of the Year Award.
General Berry was appointed Director of the Arkansas Military Department, Adjutant General and the first Commanding General of the Arkansas National Guard on January 13, 2015, by Governor Asa Hutchinson. On 1 July 2019 he became the first Secretary of the Military Department. The General served as a member of the Governor’s cabinet responsible for commanding the Arkansas Air and Army National Guard, with nearly 9,500 Airmen, Soldiers, DOD Civilians and state employees with an annual budget of nearly 500 million dollars. General Berry was the first Air Force General Officer to be appointed Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard in its 200-year history. He is also the first military officer to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General by the Governor of Arkansas. Upon his retirement he was the highest ranking, longest serving military serviceman in Arkansas with 45 years of service.
With more than 21 years active duty and 24 years with the Arkansas National Guard, General Berry served numerous assignments to include Presidentially Directed Special Projects and Programs with the Department of Energy and Department of Defense Special Projects and Testing, Nevada Test Site (Area 51), Las Vegas, Nevada. Air Operations Officer for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul South Korea. Flight Training Officer United States Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Assistant Professor Air Force Reserve Officer Training School, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, four combat deployments in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and NEW DAWN. He served in twelve foreign countries to include Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, Qatar, Kenya, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Italy and Korea.
The General’s military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal presented by Congressman Steve Womack on behalf of the President of the United States, the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Eight Air Force Commendation Medals, Air Force Achievement Medal, the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal presented by Governor Asa Hutchinson in addition to numerous other military awards and decorations. General Berry was also presented the Presidential Medal “MONJA BLANCA” by the President of Guatemala and Minister of Defense for his contributions to humanitarian relief missions and counter drug eradication efforts. General Berry was inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame in November 2022.
After retirement General Berry was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives and served two terms from 2021 – 2024 serving District 82 and after re-districting District 26. While serving in the House of Representative he held several seats on committees to include Children Aging Youth and Military Affairs, State Agencies, Rules, Transportation and the Arkansas Legislative Council. While serving on the Legislative Council he Co-Chaired sub-committees with the Senate on Personnel and Joint Performance Review Committees. As State Representative he sponsored numerous bills and co-sponsored countless pieces of legislation while concentrating primarily on safety and security measures for our state and communities.
General Berry received his undergraduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, master’s degree from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California and is a graduate of Harvard’s, Kennedy School of Government Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
General Berry is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, life member of the National Guard Association of the United States and life member of the National Guard Association of Arkansas. He is also a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The General is a member of the National Rifle Association where he carries a legislator rating of “A”.
Lieutenant General (AR) Berry and his wife, Theresa, reside in Ozark and Little Rock, Arkansas.