Meet the Houston County Commission Post 5 candidates – Mark Byrd

For the first time in 28 years, the Houston County Commissioner’s Post 5 will see a new face come the November General Election, and Mark Byrd, republican candidate, is seeking the community’s support in electing him as the new Commissioner for Post 5.

Byrd is a lifelong resident of Houston County and has deep roots. His paternal grandparents, Robert and Christine, moved here from Taylor County in 1941 for his grandfather to work at the Wellston Air Depot at Robins Field, now known as Robins Air Force Base. Mark’s father, Steve, was born and raised in Houston County, and graduated from Warner Robins High School in 1962. He later met his wife, Betty, Byrd’s mother. Byrd’s father served in the Army and is a successful local businessman.

Growing up, Byrd attended Centerville Elementary, Miller Elementary, Northside Junior High and graduated from Northside High School in 1988. He went on to earn a degree in finance and graduated from Georgia Southern University (GSU) in 1992. Byrd is married to his wife, Amy, and they recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Together, they have a son, Parker, who is a recent 2020 graduate from Veterans High School and is a freshman at the University of Georgia.

The Byrd family business, now operating as Byrd and Company LLC, has been in continuous operation since 1961. Over the years, while the business interests of Byrd and Company LLC have varied from residential rental property management to the manufacture and sale of prefabricated concrete products, and from residential and commercial development to hospitality, Byrd said the core principles of integrity, hard work, and community service have remained the same from generation to generation.

Byrd returned to Houston County shortly after graduation from GSU to work in the family business and has been the managing member of Byrd LLC for over 25 years. The primary current business operations of the company include residential real estate development and the ownership and operation of Houston Lake Country Club.

Byrd said his years of business experience have taught him that the most important assets of any company are its employees and its customers.

“I appreciate the hard work and dedication of the company’s management team and staff, and I am very thankful for our loyal customer base,” Byrd said. “I understand what it means to be a job creator, revenue generator, expense manager and a taxpayer, and I will apply these skills as a Houston County Commissioner. So as a political newcomer, the most common question that I have been asked is, “Why are you running for elected office?”  The answer is pretty simple, Houston County is my home, and I care about the people that live here. That’s why I’m running for Houston County Commissioner.”

Byrd said his campaign is based on the core values of integrity, accountability, fiscal responsibility and unity of purpose.

“First and foremost, as a commissioner, I pledge to serve the citizens of Houston County with the highest level of integrity at all times,” Byrd said. “In addition to serving with integrity, I recognize that as a commissioner, I serve at the will of the people. I will hold myself accountable to the citizens of Houston County and will advocate on behalf of the employees of county government. The Houston County Commission has a long history operating in a financially responsible manner. As a commissioner, I am committed to making all decisions in a fiscally responsible manner to the benefit of the citizens of Houston County. And lastly, I recognize the importance of unity in our community.

As a commissioner, I will seek to develop unity of purpose throughout Houston County with elected officials, business and community leadership, and citizens throughout all areas of the county.”

“I have a conservative philosophy on the role of government in our lives,” he went on to say. “I do not believe that local government is intended to be everything for everyone. I believe that the role of county government is to provide a defined set of services in an efficient manner with a high level of customer service to the benefit of the citizens of Houston County. In addition, I believe it is the role of county government, in cooperation with the cities and other community partners, to make strategic investment in infrastructure improvements throughout the community that will create an environment that allows the local economy to thrive.”

Over the past 25 years, Byrd has served in a volunteer or appointed capacity in many different areas of the community, with the primary focus points being education, workforce development, economic development, support of small business and support of Robins Air Force Base. Listed below are some of the areas that Mark has served the citizens of Houston County:

•Member, Bonaire United Methodist Church Administrative Council. Chairman, Bonaire United Methodist Church Finance Committee.

•Member and Vice Chairman, Houston County Development Authority. Immediate Past Chairman.

•Trustee, Houston Healthcare Systems Inc.

•Director Emeritus, Robins Air Force Base 21st Century Partnership. Past Board Member. Past Chairman.

•Member, RAFB Museum of Aviation Board of Governors.

•Member, Morris Bank Board of Directors.

•Member, Perry Area Chamber of Commerce Business Council.

•Past Director, Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce.

•Past Business Representative, Veterans High School Council

•Past Trustee, Middle Georgia State University Board of Trustees.

•Past Trustee, Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

•Past member, Central Georgia Joint Development Authority.

•Past member, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Stakeholder Advisory Board.

•Past youth sports coach, Warner Robins American Little League, Central Georgia Soccer Association, Perry Recreation Department, Victory Sports.

“I am extremely proud of our county and look forward to building upon the foundation of success,” Byrd said. “I am confident that with your support, together, we can continue to shape the future of Houston County.”

For more information about Byrd or to keep up with his campaign go online to www.markbyrd.org or Facebook page, Mark Byrd Commission.

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