Byron Valentine is a South Carolina native currently residing in Centerville, OH.  He works in design and marketing for pageantry supplier, FJM, Inc., where he has been employed for sixteen years. Byron has worked on the design and choreography teams for programs throughout Ohio and the Midwest including Centerville HS, Bellbrook HS, Miamisburg HS, Kettering Fairmont HS, Norwin HS, Greenfield Central HS, LaSalle HS, Kings HS, the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, Juxtaposition Winterguard, Lexis Winter Guard, Etude Winterguard, and multiple other groups both locally and nationally.  In 2012, Valentine was brought in as a performance coach for the United States Twirling Association where he mentored the US National Team as they headed into their Olympic performance in Paris, France.

Byron’s performing experience began in school where he was actively involved in theater, marching band, scholastic percussion and independent colorguard programs. He competed with the Infinti Winterguard (SC) and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps before moving to Dayton, Ohio to perform with the inaugural edition of Crown Guard. He was also a member of the 2001 WGI World Champions, Pride of Cincinnati, and continues to study movement, art and design locally. When not involved with the pageantry arts, Byron devotes time to his fledgling home decorating & design business, Hearth.

Byron brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience as the Executive Director of Zydeco Colorguard, a perennial WGI World Championships finalist; two-time medalist, and the 2011 World Class “Fans Favorite” recipient.  In addition to design and choreography, Byron is also an accomplished equipment and movement judge for several color guard and marching band circuits in Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina and Ohio.