“I’m very grateful to both the staff and the existing volunteer leadership because it’s opened a lot of doors for personal friendships and business relationships. If you care about our community, there is a place for you within the Chamber to express that and contribute.” — Mark Boyd
This case study features Mark Boyd, an attorney with the local law firm of Boyd & Boyd, P.A. Boyd & Boyd combines a high level of professional expertise with the personalized attention of a boutique firm. The firm’s dedicated areas of practice include estate planning, business, and real estate law. With deep roots in the community and a practice dating back over 40 years, Boyd & Boyd is invested in Brevard County and here to serve.
Tell me about yourself and your business.
Boyd: My name’s Mark Boyd and I’m an attorney with Boyd & Boyd, P.A. We are attorneys and counselors at law here in Melbourne, Florida. I was born in Melbourne back in 1982, grew up in the area, and attended the local public schools of Indialantic Elementary and Hoover Junior High. Then, I went to high school in Vero Beach, Florida, at St. Edwards and attended college at Duke University in North Carolina. From there, I went to law school at the University of Georgia and practiced law in the state of Georgia from 2008 to 2017. At the end of 2017, I moved back home with my wife, Jessie, and son, Trevor, and entered into law practice with my father, Joel. We have welcomed a second son, Aubrey, as well, just last year.
My father, Joel, was not born here but grew up in Brevard County. He moved here as an elementary school student and actually also went to Indialantic and Hoover before graduating from Melbourne High School. He also attended Duke University and then went to the University of Florida for law school and a graduate tax degree. He’s been practicing here since the late 1970s. We work collaboratively and assist clients in the areas of estate planning, business law, and real estate.
Can you share a brief overview of your relationship with the Chamber?
Boyd: Joel served on the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 12 years over two stints (beginning first in the 1980s and then the 2000s) and rose through leadership within the Executive Committee to become the Chair in 2009.
Since joining the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2019 and Executive Committee in 2020, I have served in the following roles: Chair of Small Business Council in 2019, Vice Chair for Business Development in 2020, and I am currently Vice Chair for Board Governance.
What facet of the Chamber is most appealing to your business?
Boyd: I would say it is the opportunity to be a part of everything that’s going on in our community. It’s currently a very exciting time to be in Brevard County. I believe our area was voted number two out of 200 larger communities from an economic perspective. My father likes to say that we’re living in the best part of the best state in the best country in the world – and the Chamber is really where the rubber meets the road, not just for the for-profit businesses but also for the not-for-profit organizations, local government, and even government beyond the local area. It’s the place where it all comes together to showcase what makes Brevard special.
How has the Chamber positively impacted your business?
Boyd: I would say it dovetails on that same answer. The ability to know what’s going on in the community and the people involved, makes us more informed in our practice. I can say both my father and I have made many incredible friendships through the Chamber, both personally and from a business perspective. The Chamber is great because it’s not just purely a business organization or a personal organization. It’s people coming together for the betterment of our community.
In what ways does the Chamber make you feel more connected to the community?
Boyd: I would say there’s some aspect of visibility for our business. But more so, it’s the opportunity to see the people who are engaged in the various sectors of our community. And further, it’s the opportunity to have a seat at the table when things are going on, which helps us all as citizens and as business people.
Why would you recommend other businesses to join the Chamber?
Boyd: I would say it depends on the type of business you are. If you’re an established business, it’s an opportunity to have a voice in how you want to see the community and its businesses grow. For a new business, it’s an opportunity to learn what resources exist in the community and which people will potentially help your business grow.
It’s not an accident that we have experienced the success that we have here. We’re a county that has gone through many ups and downs economically, but our community spirit is the fundamental fabric that allows us to bounce back. People care about each other here, and that’s a special thing.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Boyd: On a personal level, the Chamber was the first organization that I got really invested in outside of my business when I moved back home. I’ll speak for my father and say that over the past 40 years, he feels very grateful for all that the Chamber has done as well. He believes he’s gotten back much more than he’s put in.
Although I’ve been involved for a much shorter time, I’m very grateful to both the staff and the existing volunteer leadership because it’s opened a lot of doors for personal friendships and business relationships. If you care about our community, there is a place for you within the Chamber to express that and contribute.
