Johnnie Byrd, Founder

Former Speaker of the Florida House, Johnnie Byrd knows firsthand the effects of the disease known as the 'long good-bye.' His father, Johnnie Byrd, Sr., was a navy flight instructor and small business owner who suffered through the devastating process that eventually took his life at the age of 86. Realizing the sheer trauma of the disease and its many unknowns, Speaker Byrd has been a determined proponent and visionary for the Byrd Alzheimer's Research Center.

He began his focused effort prior to 2002 when he took note of the unique population of Florida and its real need to better understand and work toward Alzheimer's treatment and the eventual cure. He was successful in leading the legislature to award the first dollars dedicated to the birth of his dream and memorial legacy of his father for the benefit of Florida's aging population. Determined to help address both the financial and human cost of Alzheimer's disease to the residents of the state of Florida, Johnnie Byrd remains dedicated to finding a cure.

His goal is that future generations will some day live in a world without Alzheimer's. For his passion and determination toward these ambitious goals, we thank Speaker Byrd.