David Byrd helps put the right talent in the right place in your organization.

He brings 15+ years of experience in public service at the federal, state, county, and local level to bear on behalf of Korn Ferry clients.

Mr. Byrd ended his federal service in Jan. 2021 as the 18th National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) located within the U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Before that, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development and Research, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Mr. Byrd has had an exemplary career as a public servant. He has been a three-time presidential appointee, a three-time gubernatorial appointee, and a two-time county government appointee. He has served as an executive on transition teams at the federal, state, and county levels.

Earlier in his career, he worked at: the U.S. Dept. of Education, advising the assistant secretary on postsecondary education issues; the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, implementing policy on children and family issues; and the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress, as a researcher.

Throughout his career, Mr. Byrd has received numerous designations, awards, and accolades. In August 2021, he was named a Man of Power and Influence in the Washington, DC, metropolitan region by the Global Conscious Initiative.

Mr. Byrd completed his BA in English at Ohio Wesleyan University and his MA in Corporate Public Relations at Rowan University.

He is a former member of Toastmasters International and the Public Relations Society of America.