First-term Representative Byron Callies was born in Madison, South Dakota, and graduated from Howard High School.  As a senior, he joined the National Guard and upon graduation he attended Basic Training and AIT at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.  Following a 40-year career in the South Dakota National Guard, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.  His civilian career was spent in the electric utility industry, Northwestern Public Service and Western Area Power Administration.  During his career, he attained a BS in Applied Management and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Huron University.  Following college  graduation,  he taught Economics at Huron University and Mount Marty College in Watertown for a total of 10 years.   He became involved working with veterans through the American Legion where he eventually became State Commander in 2012-2013 and National Vice Commander in 2017-2018.  In service to his community Byron coached little league baseball, taught hunter safety to pre-teens, presented flag etiquette to third grade students, conducted bicycle safety rodeos for grade school students and was Vice-Chairman of the Home Charter Revision Committee which reviewed and revamped the governmental charter for the City of Watertown.  He spent over 25 years officiating high school sports:   basketball, volleyball and football, which culminated in officiating the SD high school football championship game in Vermillion.  He is past Chairman of the Airport Board and is currently the Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Corporation.  He is also the State Committeeman for the Codington County Republican Central Committee.   Currently, in the South Dakota Legislature, he serves on the Commerce and Energy Committee, the Education Committee, and the Military/Veterans Committee.   He is married to Kaelyn and they have three grown children, a daughter living in Castlewood and two sons living in the Rochester area.