Robert E. Byrd was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois where his parents instilled in him the rich appreciation of family he espouses.  After graduation from college Robert married, and chose to raise his family in Riverside, where he presently resides.  Robert and his wife Patricia have two children, a son Robert, and a daughter Kailah.

Robert E. Byrd has held key operational positions and has gained a broad perspective of County operations from working in such diverse departments as Department of Public Social Services, Flood Control, Waste Management, and the Auditor-Controller’s Office.  One of Robert’s main attributes is his ability to bring diverse, competing parties together to work in an atmosphere of collaboration.

Robert E. Byrd was first elected Auditor-Controller in November 2002 with more votes cast than in the history of the office. He was re-elected to his second four-year term in June 2006. Robert E. Byrd has moved swiftly to improve the image as well as the effectiveness of the Office. With high moral and professional ethics as the cornerstone of this administration, Robert has revolutionized the Auditor-Controller’s Office by its restructuring to provide better customer service and improving the quality and flow of information to County management.  Robert has also refocused the County’s audit function to not only serve its regulatory mandates, but to also incorporate the flexibility to audit proactively, which allows for bringing standards to County processes and functionality.

An acknowledged leader in the community, Robert E. Byrd is highly active through his church and other local organizations, including serving as this year’s Chair of the Riverside County Employee Campaign.  He is also Legislative Committee Chair for the State Association of County Auditors, a Commissioner on the California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission, and an active member of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers, Government Finance Officer’s Association, the State Association of County Auditors, Board Member on the Next of Kin Registry, member of the Riverside Rotary, International Relations Council Member (IRC) for the City of Riverside and Finance Chairperson for La Sierra Academy Board of Trustees.

Robert E. Byrd is emerging as one of the community’s most requested speakers, as he displays a dynamic presence in his presentation of information in the fields of Accounting, Auditing and Ethics.  In addition, as a result of his daily life experiences Robert offers insight and coaching in the areas of civic duty, community involvement and political enterprise.

Robert holds the distinct honor to be part of the 1974 freshmen class of Oakwood College that brought the total college enrollment to the 1,000 student mark. Robert is also the first African-American in the state of California to be elected to the position of County Auditor-Controller.