Asheville City Council appointed and swore in a new City Clerk at a special meeting on Oct. 27. The announcement coincides with the retirement of longtime City Clerk Maggie Burleson, who has served as the City Clerk for more than 50 years. Byrd will officially begin duties on Nov. 1.
“Our Council is excited to welcome Jodilynn Byrd to Asheville as Maggie steps away to enjoy her well-deserved retirement,” said Mayor Esther Manheimer. “Jodilynn was a standout candidate in the search for Asheville’s next City Clerk, demonstrating a commitment to public service and excellence in the field.”
Byrd arrives in Asheville after serving as the Deputy City Clerk for the City of Jacksonville Beach, Florida since 2021. A Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), she began her municipal government career in Jacksonville Beach in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant. In her most recent role, she supported critical city clerk functions including agenda development, official minutes transcription, and board governance. She also led initiatives to streamline advisory board appointments..
Prior to her municipal service, Byrd worked in administrative and higher education roles, including Executive Secretary to the Campus President and Assistant Director of Career Services at ITT Technical Institute, as well as Faculty Manager at Florida Coastal School of Law. Her public service experience also includes work with Grandfather Home for Children, Caldwell Community College, and as a licensed Respite Therapeutic Foster Parent for the State of North Carolina. She holds an Associate of Science in Computer Networking and a Bachelor of Science in Information System Security from ITT Technical Institute, along with credentials as a Certified Business Tax Official (CBTO).
“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to serve Asheville as the City Clerk,” said Byrd. “I look forward to working hand‑in‑hand with Council, City staff, and the people of Asheville to uphold the integrity of our public processes and ensure that civic participation feels inviting, accessible, and meaningful for everyone.”
Outside of City Hall, she enjoys exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains with her Hairless Chinese Crested dog, Mister, as well as hiking and CrossFit.