Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I have lived in Johnston County my entire life and have been actively involved in my community and church. I am most proud of my two children, Leslie and Don Byrd. Leslie is a freshman at Methodist University in Fayetteville and is in Pre-Nursing. Don is a sophomore at West Johnston High School, and he is currently completing his Eagle Scout. My wife is a Principal at Selma Elementary and has been dedicated to the Johnston County School System for 23 years of service.

I have been a Realtor for 20 years, and I am a Real Estate Broker with Carolina Realty in Smithfield. I am a past President of the Johnston County Board of Realtors, and I served on the Board of Directors for six years. I have also been a member of the Blue Ribbon Committee that focused on the economic development of Johnston County.

Throughout my children's life, I have coached numerous sports teams of soccer, baseball, and basketball. I am a member of Benson Grove Baptist Church where I serve in several capacities. I served over twenty years as a volunteer of the Four Oaks Rescue Squad and 50-210 Rescue Squad where I also served as Chief. I have dedicated my life to service of my family, church, and community. I hope the citizens of Johnston County will entrust the office of Register of Deeds to me as I lead this office with the spirit and commitment of service that my life has portrayed.

It is my goal to make the Johnston County Register of Deeds office efficient and transparent by truly serving the citizens of our county. I will not accept awards from companies who actual profit from the office as that can be perceived as an incentive to spend more money with the business in question. More importantly, it is the opinion and trust of the citizens of Johnston County that really matters; not companies profiting from us.

If I am Register of Deeds, I will be in the office serving the people along side my employees. I will not be an absentee Register of Deeds, and I will not be one who asks customers to write letters praising me to the editors of local newspapers. Johnstonians deserve a Register of Deeds who strives for excellence for the people; not for recognition. I will not loosely use data without proper documentation and verification. I want this office to be the most successful in processing documents and ensuring that those documents are available to the public while being secure and confidential when needed.

My entire life including my personal and business life has been centered on integrity and living a life that exemplifies character. I will continue that focus as the Johnston County Register of Deeds if elected.

I would be honored to lead that office to the next level of service while projecting high standards of character in and outside the office while focusing on the customer service for all Johnstonians.