Mark Byers

Mark was born and raised in Williamsport, PA. and began his USAF career from there in 1977, and after assignments in Alaska, Guam, and Indiana, he and his family moved to Edwards AFB, CA in 1981. Mark and his family currently reside in the Huntsville, AL area in a rural setting with their spoiled dogs. Mark and his wife Penny have children living in Alabama, Virginia, and California.

During his tenure in the USAF, he served on flying status as an electronics technician and at Edwards, he was a member of, or led several avionics instrumentation specific test teams as well as serving as the Chief of the Professional Military Education (PME) branch; separating in 1988 as the Instrumentation/Guidance and Control Branch Chief, 6510 Avionics Maintenance Squadron.

Additionally, between 1988 and 1997 he spent the nine years as a Church Pastor, started and managed two for-profit companies and three non-profits. During this period, he served on non-profit boards and wrote grant proposals for successful funding from private agencies. During this same time, he also taught 13 semesters as an Adjunct Instructor in the Antelope Valley Community College.

He earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University, an MA in Pastoral Studies from Azusa Pacific University, and his MBA in Public Administration from Columbia Southern University. In addition, he earned a Professional Certificate in School [District level] Management from University of So. California (USC).

Technical and Academic Publishing:

1. He has published papers and operating procedures on high power laser safety for both laboratory and on-aircraft flight test and sustainment engineering.

2. Academically he wrote a Master’s Thesis is on the leadership and management of Federal Government proposal operations.

3. His published Doctoral Dissertation examines how 86 school districts in Kern County Ca market themselves to the public to raise support and funding.

4. He authored Heaven Roars in the Wilderness – an evangelical view of how God used Mark’s Alaskan remote cabin planning and building experience, along with biblical character wilderness experience to give our lives purpose and significance considering current social media infused society.