David A. Byrd was born in Colorado and moved with his family several times until age 9 when they settled in Okeechobee. He attended Okeechobee County Schools, was active in both 4-H and FFA, High School Athletics, and Graduated Salutatorian of his High School Class in 1979. Upon graduation he left Okeechobee to attend the University of Florida where he earned 2 degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1983 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1988. He practiced small animal clinical medicine, surgery, and dentistry in Jacksonville and Orlando for the next 18 years.

He left clinical practice in late 2006 to return home and join the family business, and to pursue a second career in graphic design and photography. He makes his home in Okeechobee.