The son of a career Naval Officer, Byron is a native San Diegan. As a boy, he was an Eagle Scout, a Varsity Swimmer, and became a San Diego Lifeguard on Mission Bay and Ocean Beach. Byron was a Sergeant on the Mission Bay Harbor Patrol and Lifeguard Lieutenant. After seven years he became the National Executive Director of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) growing the organization from 1,200 lifeguards to 5,000 nationwide within 7 regions. The USLA set standards and certifications for all open water lifeguards, including river and cliff rescues.

Byron has always been active in the community. He chaired the update of the Peninsula Community Planning Board, served on the Park and Rec Coastal Community, Ocean Beach Town Council and led efforts to stop the demolition of Dana Jr High - working to reopen the school again. In 1995 he was elected to the San Diego City Council representing downtown and coastal communities and was integral in leading efforts to build PETCO Park and expand the downtown redevelopment of East Village, the North Embarcadero and the Convention Center.

Byron helped to secure funding for the Pt Loma Hervey Library, the expansion site for the OB Library, the Robb Field Skateboard Park, the Fiesta Island Youth Camp, the Pacific Beach Lifeguard Station and the restoration of the historic Balboa Theatre. He also served on the Coastal Commission working on coastal access and clean water.

Byron chaired the State Committee to reorganize SANDAG regional government and create the San Diego Regional Airport Authority. In addition, Byron led the master planning efforts for the reuse of the NTC historic buildings into the Arts and Culture District, a site for High Tech High, mixed use facilities, and the 46 acre waterfront park as a future site of a world class aquatic complex.

Byron has served on the Board of the Ryan Family YMCA, the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego and has jumped off the OB Pier for the past 10 years with the Junior Lifeguards. He currently is a land use planning consultant and volunteer, participating in transformative community engagement efforts.