Administrative Staff

Dr. Herb Byrd III was named UT Vice President of Public Service in January 2016. He served in the position on an interim basis beginning in September 2014.
After attending Harding College (Searcy, AR) for two years, Byrd received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, master’s degree in Reproductive Physiology and PhD in Educational Leadership, all from The University of Tennessee. Most of his professional career has been spent with his alma mater in UT Extension.

His UT career began in 1984 as an Extension 4-H agent in Monroe County. He then worked in McMinn County for seven years in Adult Agriculture & Resource Development while serving as county director. In a two-year stint away from Extension, Herb was a Vice President with Lads to Leaders, Inc. where he conducted workshops teaching adults how to teach leadership skills to youth.

After returning to UT Extension's state office in 1998, he was responsible for recruitment, personnel, and civil rights and served as Extension's affirmative action and EEO officer. In addition, he directed the Extension Evaluation and Staff Development department, organized July 1, 2003. Before his appointment as Interim Vice President of the Institute for Public Service, he was also the Human Resources Officer for the Institute for Agriculture. He served on the staff of the University of Tennessee's Leadership Institute from 1999-2019.

Byrd is co-author of THE Beef Cattle fIRM™ record-keeping software released through UT. Extension awards he has received include the Outstanding Young Agent, Achievement and various communication awards. For work in the community, he has received Chamber of Commerce Young Man of the Year, a McMinn County Commission Resolution of Honor and Commendation, and was honored with Herb Byrd Day at the Mid-East Tennessee Regional Fair. Herb is an active member of the Clinton Church of Christ, is board president of Teenage Christian Camp, and has worked with medical mission teams in several South and Central American countries with Latin American missions. He serves on the boards of Hillbrook Christian Association, Pathway Lending LLC, Tennessee Center for Performance Management (TNCPE) and is on the advisory panel for the UT System Executive Leadership Institute.

Byrd has been married to Resa since 1981. They have three children: Kristin Cole, Heather Reeves and Resa-Marie. Herb and Resa are working hard to fulfill a grandparent’s duty to thoroughly spoil six grandchildren. That is reported to be his favorite job yet. He enjoys woodworking, fly fishing along with tying flies and building fly rods, and any other outdoor activity.