Kentucky lawmakers name new Legislative Research Commission director

Byerman previously served as Nevada’s Secretary of the Senate

Frankfort, Ky. – Kentucky legislative leaders have voted to hire David A. Byerman on a two-year contract as the next director of the Legislative Research Commission.

The move was expected. Legislative leaders signaled earlier this month that Byerman was their choice for the job, pending the formal ratification of contract terms by the full 16-member Legislative Research Commission (LRC).

“I am grateful to Kentucky’s legislative leaders for entrusting me with this important role,” Byerman said. “I look forward to working with LRC’s 390 talented and dedicated employees to provide outstanding services for legislators and the public.”

The LRC director is responsible for overseeing the performance of nonpartisan staff employed by the General Assembly and for delivering high quality, professional services to legislators and the legislature. Byerman is expected to start as LRC Director on Oct. 1.

Byerman, 44, is an award-winning legislative administrator with experience in leading governmental organizations at the state and federal levels. He served two terms as Nevada’s Secretary of the Senate, the chamber’s chief executive officer and parliamentarian.

The Kentucky General Assembly’s top leaders reviewed over 30 applications and interviewed several individuals before making Byerman their ultimate choice. Senate President Robert Stivers said Byerman’s background helped him stand apart from other applicants.

“We felt that Mr. Byerman’s qualifications, along with the way he conducted himself in his interview, made him the best fit for the position, especially understanding the internal problems that we’ve had,” Stivers said. “I think Mr. Byerman has a very good grasp of the process and what is needed based on his prior experience, and will not have any type of preconceived notions or affiliations coming here from out of state.”

House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Byerman’s talents and experience make him a good fit to serve as LRC Director.

“We had many very qualified applicants, so it wasn’t an easy process to go through. But I think, in the final analysis, that we’ve made a good choice,” Speaker Stumbo said. “David Byerman brings a wealth of legislative experience with him. He is an accomplished parliamentarian and has been recognized by national organizations. I look forward to his coming on board and I think our staff will be impressed with him.”

Byerman’s career path has given him experience in external affairs, communications, government relations, non-profit leadership and organizational management.

He was credited with bringing innovative practices to the Nevada Senate while he served as the chamber’s chief executive from 2010 to 2015. As Secretary of the Senate, Byerman was responsible for overseeing 90 session employees and managing a $21.5 million biennial budget.

Prior to serving as Nevada’s Secretary of the Senate, Byerman was the U.S. Census Bureau’s Chief Government Liaison for Nevada. He served twice in that role, from 1999 – 2000 and from 2008 – 2010.

Byerman has also served as Director of Communications for MGM Mirage, a Fortune 500 company; President of Byerman Solutions Group; Chief of Program Development for the Nevada Department of Transportation; Executive Assistant to Nevada Gov. Bob Miller; and Executive Director for Greater Philadelphia Clean Cities, Inc.

The winner of numerous public service awards, Byerman received the Kevin B. Harrington Award for Excellence in Democracy Education awarded by the National Conference of State Legislatures in 2014. He also received the Liberty Bell Award from the Clark County Law Foundation last year and the Jean Ford Award for Participatory Democracy from the Nevada Secretary of State in 2013.

Byerman earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Redlands in California with a double major in political science and history. He earned a Master of Governmental Administration degree from the Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.

The annual salary range advertised to candidates for the LRC Director position was between $120,000 and $140,000. Under terms of the two-year contract approved today, Byerman will receive an annual salary of $135,000 and he will be eligible for a 5 percent increase after six months of continuous employment in good standing.