Dale Byrne:
A Lifetime of Achievement and Community Service
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Dale Byrne is a dedicated entrepreneur and community leader with a long-standing commitment to creative and collaborative problem-solving. A hands-on leader, Dale believes in inspiring those around him to use positive thinking and express their passion in everything they do. He earned his BS and MBA from the University of Southern California and immediately embarked on his journey to build a career in technology companies and a passion for improving properties while raising a family.
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Throughout his career, Dale gained extensive experience in sales, sales management, and consulting. He managed, consulted for, and founded several innovative software companies. Notably, he grew his largest company from a concept to a dynamic firm with 250 associates, offices in 12 countries, and 3,000 customers, including industry giants like Walmart and Procter & Gamble, all without any outside capital. After selling this company, he acquired one of its products, started a new company, grew it for 10 years, and then retired to Reno, NV in 2009.
Dale and his wife Margaret first visited Carmel in 2003 with their miniature poodle and instantly knew it was their forever home. They initially stayed in hotels and rented VRBOs before buying a cottage eleven years ago. Since then, they have meticulously crafted five Carmel homes before moving to Carmel full-time in 2017.
In retirement, Dale's passion for community service flourished. He and Margaret became integral to the Carmel Residents Association, heading up membership, writing newsletter columns, leading infrastructure improvements and community engagement initiatives, and a business discount program that doubled the CRA’s membership, strengthened ties with local businesses, and prepared them for future growth.
In 2020, they launched Carmel Cares, a grassroots movement focused on mindful behavior and community beautification and it quickly grew into a highly effective nonprofit organization. Under Dale’s leadership, Carmel Cares has over 150 volunteers and nearly 300 donors, accomplishing countless improvement and maintenance projects. Their innovative programs and public/private partnership with the City of Carmel have contributed over $700,000 in services, materials, and equipment, and over 20,000 volunteer hours to the city. These efforts have not only beautified Carmel but also strengthened its community spirit and created a legacy of motivated groups focused on initiatives like litter reduction.
Dale's love for and dedication to Carmel and public service has been widely recognized in local publications, and he has received prestigious awards such as the CRA Citizen of the Year and the Carmel Chamber’s Community Champion Award. Started at the beginning of the pandemic, his stewardship of the Carmel Gives Fund has resulted in nearly $2 million being distributed through over 300 innovative, highly leveraged grants to local businesses, nonprofits, and community projects.
For Dale, Carmel Cares and Carmel Gives are more than just nonprofit endeavors; they embody the spirit of community and collaboration. He continues to inspire with his full-time commitment to Carmel, including his campaign to become Carmel’s Mayor. Dale is committed to creative, collaborative, and transparent leadership. He believes in fiscal responsibility and that elected leaders should be accountable to their constituents. He will never stop working to protect the historic character of this special village and pursuing a better Carmel, for today and the future.​​