C. Philip Byers

C. Philip Byers has an extensive background in education advocacy and is a steadfast proponent of educational freedom. In 2007, he joined the Thomas Jefferson Community Education Foundation as the Executive Director. He is the former board chairman of the 1,295-student Challenge Foundation charter school. Philip is a founding member of the Lake Lure Classical Academy: A Challenge Foundation Academy in Lake Lure, North Carolina.

Philip currently serves on the UNC Board of Governors, as appointed by the North Carolina House of Representatives, and previously served on the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees, as appointed by North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, and the North Carolina Economic Development Commission, Advantage West, as appointed by the North Carolina Senate.

Before Philip’s career in education, he worked in law enforcement for two decades, retiring as the Sheriff of Rutherford County, North Carolina. Philip received accolades for leading the fight against methamphetamine production in rural western North Carolina during his tenure in law enforcement. His work in this area resulted in state and federal laws governing meth production and lab apprehension, which he was instrumental in forming. Philip served on the Federal Hate Crime Task Force from 1996 to 1999, working with the FBI, ATF, US Attorney, and local law enforcement to dismantle the Ku Klux Klan and the white supremacy movement. The investigation led to numerous arrests across the southeast, for which Philip received performance awards from the FBI, ATF, and the US Attorney.

C. Philip Byers holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Appalachian State University and a Master of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University. He is a member of several organizations, including Kiwanis International, Masonic Lodge, Oasis Shrine, Pi Gamma Mu National Honor Society, Toastmaster International, Appalachian State University Alumni Association, and Western Carolina University Alumni Association.