DAPHNE, Ala. — “Each One – Reach One” is the slogan of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce fiscal year, which began July 1.  The objective is to encourage each member of the chamber to bring in one additional member to help grow the organization and strengthen the ability for the chamber to help more businesses.

It’s new Chairman of the board Jim Byrd’s primary commitment and goal of his tenure for the 2010/2011 fiscal year.

Meet Jim

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Byrd attended Jefferson State Community College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He started his insurance career in 1982 as an agent with MetLife acquiring Leader’s Conference status in the first year and President’s Conference the second year rising to No. 1 agent for the Alabama/Mississippi regions. He was promoted to field training consultant in January 1984 and became branch manager of MetLife’s Mobile branch in April 1984. He opened a separate MetLife branch in Mobile and quickly lead his team to a top 10 position inclusive of all USA MetLife branches.

He joined Principal Financial Group in 1997; there he became the top sales manager in the company.

In 2003, he become a partner with Tom Jones Insurance and Financial Company in Daphne, where he met Don Moore and soon thereafter (2006), together they opened Safe Harbor Financial Services LLC.

Byrd has held a number of positions with civic organizations including: president of Airport Metro Kiwanis; president of Mobile Association of Life Underwriters; president of General Agents and Managers Association; Ambassador of the Year (2006) for Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce; and he serves on the chamber’s board of advisors and has served on the board of directors since 2007.

He served as deacon of Hillcrest Baptist Church, where he enjoyed teaching Sunday School. He and his wife, Jewell, have three kids and five grandchildren.

Meet the board of directors: 

The 2010-11 board of directors includes: Linda Scott, Scott & Associates; Sharon Wright, White-Spunner & Associates; Donna Givens, Baldwin EMC; Elizabeth Citrin, attorney; Darrelyn Bender, president/CEO, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce; and Sue Cade, Edward Jones Investments.

Also: Greg Strachan, Bryant Bank; Bryan Parker, Congress Jo Bonner staff; Jim Byrd, Safe Harbor Financial, chairman of the board; Ben Meisler, Holiday Inn Express-Daphne; and David Clark, Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa. 

Also: Jason Horn, The Insurance Guy; Scott Taylor, Thompson Tractor; Phil Norris, University of South Alabama-Baldwin County; Kerry O’Connor, Whitney Bank; and Hugh McCoy, White-Spunner Construction.

And: Howard Holcomb, Thomas Medical Center; Anthony Sampson, Jani King Commercial Cleaning Services; Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant; Daphne Mayor Fred Small; Spanish Fort Mayor Joseph Bonner; Baldwin County Commissioner David Ed Bishop; Tim Rosson, BBVA Compass Bank; Bob Baumhower, Baumhower’s Wings; and Rance Reehl, Reehl Properties.