Chamber Board Announces New Executive Director
The Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hiring of Wendy Byrd as the organization’s next Executive Director. Byrd will begin her role with the Chamber on June 1, 2026, entering a 30-day transition period alongside the current Executive Director, Cecilia Murray, before fully assuming executive authority on July 1, 2026.
Following July 1, Murray will transition into an advisory role with the Chamber through her retirement in August, helping ensure a smooth and successful leadership transition. The announcement follows Murray’s previously announced retirement after over 21 years of service to the Chamber and community.
“We are excited to welcome Wendy to the Chamber and the Waynesville-St. Robert business community,” said Brett Reith, President of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “Her background in organizational leadership, community engagement, workforce development, and public service makes her an outstanding choice to lead the Chamber into its next chapter.”
Byrd recently relocated to Missouri from Texas, where she spent 18 years serving in county government for Rains County. She began her public service career in the County Judge’s Office, working as Indigent Healthcare Coordinator and Assistant to the County Judge and Commissioner's Court before being hired as the county’s Library Director in 2010. In that role, she led efforts to modernize a rural library system through strategic planning, community partnerships, and collaboration with volunteers and advisory boards. Prior to her government service, Byrd held multiple leadership positions at Lowe’s Distribution Center in Mt. Vernon, Texas, including Administrative Coach, Receiving Manager, and Training Coach. Her experience included operations management, team leadership, employee development, recruitment, and OSHA training.
“Wendy brings a strong combination of operational leadership and community-focused experience,” Reith said. “We are confident she will continue building on the Chamber’s strong foundation while bringing fresh
ideas and energy to support our members and region.”
A community meet-and-greet welcoming Byrd will be held in the coming weeks, with the date and additional details to be announced. The Chamber’s Board of Directors will work closely with Murray and Byrd during the transition period to ensure continuity of operations and ongoing support for Chamber
members and programs.
Wendy D. Byrd Bio
Wendy D. Byrd recently moved to Missouri from Texas, where she spent 18 years working in County Government for Rains County. She began her career with the county in the County Judge’s Office, where she worked in Indigent Healthcare and as the County Judge’s Assistant. In 2010, she was promoted to the Library Director position, where she was tasked to bring a dying rural library into the 21st century. At the library, Wendy worked with the volunteers of the Friends of the Library, a 501(c)(3), and coordinated with the Library Advisory Board to develop recommendations to improve the library. She reported to the Commissioner’s Court of the County, which consisted of the County Judge and four County Commissioners.
Prior to the library, Wendy worked at Lowe’s Distribution Center in Mt. Vernon, TX, where she held several titles, including Administrative Coach, for which she was responsible for the receiving office, damages, and planning. After that, she worked as a receiving manager, overseeing a team of up to 40 team members who received freight into the distribution center. Wendy then transferred to Human Resources, where she was the Training Coach, responsible for managerial, equipment, OSHA, and departmental training. She also cross-trained with the Employment Coach for recruitment and hiring.
Wendy holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration/Management from Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX.
Wendy will join the Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce as its next Executive Director on June 1, 2026.