Roger Byrd is currently employed as Associate Professor of Social Sciences at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia, where he provides both live classroom and online / distance learning in a variety of academic programs, including Political Science, Criminal Justice, Government, and Business. Dr. Byrd is also BPCs Director of Prison Programs, overseeing the school’s implementation of post-secondary educational opportunities and Second Chance Pell programming within local prison facilities. Additionally, Dr. Byrd works as an adjunct professor for East Georgia State College.
Dr. Byrd was formerly employed as the Business & Industry Manager at Oconee Fall Line Technical College, based at the South Campus in Dublin, Georgia. In this position, he designed, implemented, and taught workforce training programs for area industries and managed continuing education offerings for the college.
With over 35 years of experience in Public Service and Higher Education, Dr. Byrd is highly accomplished in areas of Governance, Education, Policy Development, and Business & Industry. Prior to his career in education, Dr. Byrd served as a Georgia State Representative for 22 years. During his tenure, Dr. Byrd chaired two standing committees and was a member of three state boards with jurisdiction over a variety of issues ranging from transportation to services for people with disabilities. After retiring from the legislature, he returned to serve for 2 years as House Messenger and Chief of Staff for the Speaker of the House.
In addition to his professional work in post-secondary and technical education, Dr. Byrd remains active on a number of boards focused on higher education, advocacy, and public charity. He also spends time continuing to further his education, as well as researching and writing. He recently completed a criminal justice related textbook, Sisyphus No More, which was published in December 2020 by Rowman and Littlefield Publishing. He is currently working on book of devotions based on historical events and people.
Roger Byrd is a native of Hazlehurst, Georgia, hailing from the rural Snipesville Community. One of five children raised on a farm, Roger rode horses, cropped tobacco, and became active in the FFA. Through the FFA he honed his skills in public speaking and expanded his world view when he became President of the Georgia FFA in 1971. This allowed him to travel, meet politicians of various levels, and sparked an early desire to make a difference in the world through civic engagement and lifelong educational growth. These pursuits led him, across the years, into public service; human resources management; entrepreneurship; college administration; teaching GED, technical, industry, and college classes; ministry; and graduations from Brewton-Parker College, Valdosta State University, Armstrong Atlantic State University, and Georgia Southern University, with additional matriculation at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and Kennesaw State University.
Roger is married to April Eason, his help meet and travel buddy. He is also the proud father to one daughter, Olivia, who is following in his footsteps with her interest in government, politics, and criminal justice. The family has lived in Dublin, Georgia since 2008, shortly after Roger was ordained as pastor of Bay Springs Baptist Church in the Scott Community of Johnson County, Georgia.