Senator Bob Corker has had an exemplary career in public service and private business. He represented Tennesseans in the Senate from 2007 to 2018, and became a national and global thought leader on fiscal, financial, and foreign policy issues during his tenure, leading to recognition as one of the 100 most influential people in the world according to TIME Magazine. Corker has always advocated for a strong, compassionate America - one that doesn’t close its borders, look inwards, or waver in the face of injustice. Throughout his career as a businessman and in politics, he has been willing to speak his mind to express his principled positions or to get things done for the people. As the Mayor of Chattanooga and then as a Senator, he displayed an admirable commitment to civility, bipartisanship, and integrity.
Corker was first elected to the Senate in 2006, and was overwhelmingly reelected to the seat in 2012. He quickly rose to prominence on the Banking Committee where he became known for his tough, no-nonsense questioning of witnesses during the auto industry bailout and 2008 financial crisis. Corker was also a key voice in Congress on housing finance reform: a bipartisan bill he co-authored in 2013 has been called the “blueprint” for our nation’s housing finance system. A key leader on our nation’s fiscal challenges, Corker is one of the few members of Congress to produce a bill that would set our country on a path to fiscal solvency.
Recognizing the important impact US leadership and diplomacy abroad can have on our economy and national security, Corker was also an active leader on the Foreign Relations Committee. After taking office in 2007, he visited more than 60 countries to gain a deeper understanding of the strategic relationships between the United States and other nations. In 2015, his colleagues elected him chairman. As the lead Republican on the committee, Corker proved his shrewd leadership as he worked with his colleagues to set the committee agenda and help carry out legislative and oversight responsibilities.
He was Tennessee’s commissioner of finance and mayor of Chattanooga before being elected to the Senate, but he spent most of his life in business. At the age of 25, Corker started his own general contracting firm with $8,000 in savings and a pickup truck. He quickly expanded operations to 18 states around the country. eventually expanding operations to 18 states. Soon after, he founded the Corker Group, which acquired, developed, built, managed, and leased projects. He ultimately purchased two of the largest and oldest real estate holding companies in Chattanooga.
After an extensive public service career, in January of 2019, Corker returned to business. He currently serves as chairman of Rise Ventures, a joint venture between the Corker Group and Rise Partners; is chairman of One-to-One Health; and is a special advisor to Jefferies Financial Group, a global investment banking firm. He also serves on the advisory board for several philanthropic and policy-focused organizations.
During his twenties, Corker participated in a mission trip to Haiti which he credits as his inspiration to become an active member in his community. After his mission trip, Corker helped establish the Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, a non-profit organization that provides low-interest home loans and home maintenance education to thousands of residents living in Tennessee.
Corker was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the son of Jean J. Hutto and Robert Phillips “Phil” Corker. His great-great-grandfather was U.S. Congressman Stephen A. Corker. After attending public school in Chattanooga, Corker graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1974 with a degree in Industrial Management. He and his wife of 28 years, Elizabeth, live in Chattanooga. They have two daughters, Emily Corker, Julia and her husband Justin Spickard, and one grandchild.
The Common Good was pleased to host Senator Corker at The Common Good Forum and American Spirit Awards in 2021. He currently serves as a member of The Common Good Honorary Advisory Board.
Twitter: @SenBobCorker
Selected media:
An early Republican Trump critic feels vindicated Politico, 2021
PBS/FRONTLINE: "We Take Our Democracy for Granted," Says Bob Corker, Former GOP Senator and Trump Critic PBS FRONTLINE, 2021
Bob Coker, the Relentless Tennessee Dealmaker TIME Magazine, 2015
