Herb Byrd

Herb Byrd, vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service (IPS), will retire Sept. 30 following 40 years of dedicated service to the University of Tennessee and the state.

TML Executive Director Anthony Haynes thanked Byrd for his work in public service, particularly with Tennessee’s municipalities.

“On behalf of the Tennessee Municipal League family across the state, I want to extend our congratulations to UT Vice President Dr. Herb Byrd III on his upcoming retirement,” Haynes said. “Many walk through the doors of UT, but Dr. Byrd will be among the top few that embodied perfection in public service and helping others. On a personal level, I have greatly benefited from having Herb as a friend and colleague for more than 20 years. We wish Herb and his lovely wife Resa all the best in the years ahead.”

A three-time UT alumnus, Byrd began his career with UT Extension, serving nearly three decades in communities across Tennessee as a 4-H agent in Monroe County, county director for McMinn County, and leader in agricultural and resource development. 

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. He was also the human resources officer for the Institute for Agriculture and served on the staff of the University of Tennessee’s Leadership Institute from 1999-2019.

He later advanced to leadership roles within IPS and was named vice president in 2016 after serving in an interim capacity beginning in 2014.

During his tenure, Byrd played a key role in strengthening IPS’s mission to deliver training and technical assistance that improve quality of life across Tennessee. His leadership helped expand the institute’s reach and impact, including initiatives addressing critical challenges such as substance abuse and misuse.

“Herb’s career reflects the very best of the University of Tennessee’s land-grant mission,” said UT System President Randy Boyd. “His leadership, commitment to service and passion for helping others has had a lasting impact in communities across our state.”

A national search for the next vice president of IPS will launch in August. The search will include stakeholder listening sessions to gather input from key partners. An interim vice president will be appointed to lead the institute during the transition.