J. Michael Byrd
Realtor, Prudential Georgia Realty

J. Michael Byrd was born in Huntington, West Virginia and graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Mike also was a distinguished military graduate of the United States Army Officers Candidate School and Commanding Officer of a Nike-Hercules missile site in Germany. Upon completion of military service , Mike conducted graduate studies in accounting and finance at California State University, Los Angeles, California.

Mike started his professional career with Price Waterhouse in Los Angeles where he became a Certified Public Accountant. He joined Lorimar Productions as Director of Finance, moving up to become Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance with Lorimar subsidiary ZIV International, Inc. Mike was accountable for all areas of worldwide television, pay/cable, video distribution and acquisition while in this position. He accepted a new challenge with Samuel Goldwyn Company in Los Angeles as Senior Vice President of International and Television Operations responsible for all elements of television, pay/cable and video distribution.

Mike moved to Atlanta to join Turner International as Senior Vice President of International Television Program Sales. His leadership helped this division experience a 65% increase in revenue in only three years. Next, Mike received a promotion to Managing Director of Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. and President of Turner International Asia Pacific Ltd. based in Hong Kong. He was responsible for overseeing all sales, distribution, marketing, network development, programming and promotion for CNN International and Cartoon Network.

Mike has a track record of successful endeavors. He is currently a Realtor with Prudential Georgia Realty. He and his wife live in Woodstock.

During his tenure of Chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, he served on the following:
Chairman – Environmental Land Use Committee – Atlanta Regional Commission
Executive Committee – Atlanta Regional Commission
Vice Chairman – Transit Planning Board (Metro Atlanta)
Board of Managers – Association County Commissioners of Georgia
Board of Directors – Cherokee county Water and Sewerage Authority
Board of Trustees – Livable Communities Coalition
Member – Quality Growth Task Force

Community Involvement:
American Legion
Cherokee County Arts Council
Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
Cherokee County Historic Society
Cherokee County Republican Party
Friends of the Cherokee County Public Library
Graduate of the Coverdell Leadership Institute
Society Yeager Scholars Board, Marshall University
Member - Cherokee County School Board Blue Ribbon Committee
Member – First Baptist Church of Woodstock