James K. Byrd, MMC/NCCMC/CTC

In December 2003, this individual was hired for the position of Tax Collector/Accounts Payable for their jurisdiction, beginning a career in Local Government.  Previously, their background was in Office Management for banking and textiles.  Having been hired as the Town Tax Collector, with guidance from the Town Manager, classes needed for their career in government were identified.  In March of 2004, the first of many classes at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government began the education process.  This was the first of several classes required in order to become a Certified Tax Collector, which was awarded at the Annual Spring Tax Collector Conference in April 2006.  In December 2007, with continued responsibilities, the position changed to Tax Collector/Front Office Finance.  The following year the position became Tax Collector/Front Office Manager. 

In 2010, the former Town Clerk/Finance Director announced her upcoming retirement.  At the December 2010 Town Council Meeting, the Town Council appointed this individual to the position of Town Clerk/Tax Collector.  Excitement grew as a seat in the 2011 UNC School of Government Clerk Certification Institute Class was secured.  Over the years, the following educational recognitions with the Clerks Association were achieved:  Certified Municipal Clerk – 2013, North Carolina Certified Municipal Clerk – 2014, Master Municipal Clerk – 2016 and Athenian Fellow – 2021.  Encouraged by fellow Clerks over the years, they submitted their name to volunteer on many committees of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Clerks (NCAMC) including Director of District 10 (four years), Program & Education (six years with one year as Chair and one year as Vice-Chair), 2019 Site Selection (three years as Chair), Membership (three years with two years as Chair), 2022 Site Selection (two years) and We Share Our Services (two years).  Other committees they have participated on include State Certification, Legislative, Nominating and Scholarship.  They hosted a Spring Regional and in 2019 was the Host for the Annual NCAMC Summer Conference. 

Encouraged to participate with joint organizations, they served with the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) on the following committees:  Tax and Finance Legislative Action (four years), General Government Legislative Action (three years) and Legislative Policy (two years).

As a Municipal Tax Collector, this Clerk served the North Carolina Tax Collectors Association (NCTCA) on their Resolution Committee for two years.

This Clerk considers themselves a lifelong learner, continually taking classes to improve in order to serve their community in the best possible way.  They enjoy spending time with their family, which includes two adult sons and their wives.  They also enjoy getting together with close friends.  Their hobbies include reading for pleasure and working in the garden.

Their formal education includes an Associate in Commerce from Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan, attended Eastern Michigan University and received their Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Lenoir-Rhyne College (now University).

Town Clerk for the Town of Wilkesboro, James K. “Jim” Byrd is an encourager, and his desire is for everyone to continue learning.  He is thankful to God for the ability to serve others.  Jim believes there is always something else to find out.  He and his wife, Paula have traveled to 48 of the continuous states and most of the counties within North Carolina. 

He looks forward to seeing you at an upcoming NCAMC conference.  Make sure you say hi.