“I’m very grateful to both the staff and the existing volunteer leadership because it has 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 Viera Company, developer of a Top 25 Best-Selling Master-Planned Community in the United States located here in the Melbourne Region.
Tell me about yourself and your business.
Boyd: My name is Mark Boyd and I’m an attorney with The Viera Company. 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 School 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 welcomed a second son, Aubrey, in 2020.
In 2023, I joined The Viera Company as associate corporate counsel. The Viera Company is the developer of a Top 25 Best-Selling Master-Planned Community in the United States for the last seven years running located here in the Melbourne Region. The development of Viera has been positively transformational for Brevard County during my lifetime. It has been exciting to watch it grow over the years, and it is now an honor to be a part of it as a professional.
Can you share a brief overview of your relationship with the Chamber?
Boyd: My father, 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. He credits his experience at the Chamber with being fundamental to establishing himself as a professional here in the Melbourne community, where he also grew up. When I moved back home to continue my career, he definitely encouraged me to get involved with the Chamber.
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, Vice Chair for Business Development, Vice Chair for Board Governance, Treasurer, Chair-Elect, and now the 2024 Board Chair.
What facet of the Chamber is most appealing to your business?
Boyd: 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 living and working in Brevard County. 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: It dovetails on that same answer. Melbourne is a distinctive market. The ability to know what’s going on in the community and the people involved makes me a better attorney. I have also made many incredible friendships through the Chamber, both personally and from a business perspective. The Viera Company has a long history of commitment to the Chamber, as well as a partner who shares our business values and commitment to the community. Both The Viera Company and Viera Builders are Chamber Investors. Our President, Todd Pokrywa, is also a recent Past Chair who has stayed on and is still actively serving on the Executive Committee. 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 region that has gone through many ups and downs economically, but our community spirit is the fundamental fabric that allows us to bounce back and grow further. 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 have invested a good deal of the proverbial “time, talent and treasure” into the Chamber over the years, but I believe I have gotten back much more than I’ve put in.
I’m very grateful to both the Chamber staff and the volunteer leadership that came before me because it has 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.
