News Release

Dave Byrd named Finance Director for Town of Hilton Head Island

November 4, 2025

The Town of Hilton Head Island is pleased to welcome Dave Byrd, a certified public accountant, as its new Finance Director. He has over 30 years of experience in leadership and financial management across multiple sectors, including municipal government, health care, and public corporations.

Dave will play a pivotal role in planning, managing, and overseeing the Town’s financial operations in his new capacity and lead the development of strategies related to budgeting, investment, accounting, and financial reporting.

"Dave brings a combination of technical expertise, fiscal planning strength, and the ability to find effective, strategic solutions that will help our Town continue to thrive while addressing our day-to-day needs. He possesses a robust skill set in leadership, team building, financial strategy, policies and procedures, as well as strategic planning," said Town Manager Marc Orlando. "He also has a strong background in short-term rentals, tourism, and economic development, which are among our key concerns. We are excited to have him on board."

A senior-level professional, Dave comes to Hilton Head Island from Colorado, where he has spent nearly four years as finance director for the Town of Breckenridge. He oversaw a $135 million budget and implemented best practices for financial reporting, audits, and compliance. His team of dedicated employees were responsible for collecting sales and real estate taxes, managing short-term rentals, issuing business licenses, and carrying out a variety of other responsibilities.

Before working in town government, Dave spent a significant portion of his career in health care finance, technology, and executive consulting, guiding health care technology startups and leading turnaround efforts at two major corporations — Capturerx and Premier Elections, a subsidiary of Diebold. During his tenure with these corporations, he was responsible for launching product solutions, hiring and growing a team of high-level executives, implementing customer-focused service improvements, leading initiatives to increase revenue, and providing financial planning and oversight.

Dave holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting and a Master of Science degree in management information systems from the University of Texas at Dallas. 

"I am excited to continue my career in public service with the Town of Hilton Head Island and help manage and implement innovative solutions to challenges the Town faces. I believe in service excellence, and I hope to carry out that belief among the team I am leading and our work," Dave said.

While living in Colorado, Dave shared his compassion for children and families by volunteering with local charities focused on those causes. He lent his time and expertise to two community organizations - the Treetop Child Advocacy Center, where he serves as board president, and the Family & Intercultural Resource Center, where he serves as treasurer. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as bicycling and walking, spending time with his grandchildren and going to rock concerts.

Dave’s office will be at Town Hall, 1 Town Center Court. He can be contacted via email at DaveB@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 843-341-4650.