Des Moines, November 22, 2016— Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady today announced that State Court Administrator David Boyd will retire September 7, 2017. Boyd's decision to retire will bring to a close a remarkable career of 40 years of continual service to the Iowa Judicial Branch.
"David Boyd has expertly led Iowa's court system through a series of tremendous changes and challenges to make the Iowa court system one of the most respected in the nation," Iowa Chief Justice Mark Cady said. "From guiding the transition from a county-based court system to a statewide unified court system, to directing the statewide implementation of electronic filing, David has proven himself to be a strong, well respected leader. His experience administering the courts, first as a district court administrator and then as the State Court Administrator, has been an invaluable resource for myself and the five chief justices who preceded me. While we wish David and his family nothing but peace and relaxation during his well-earned retirement, his wisdom will be greatly missed."
Boyd was appointed State Court Administrator May 13, 2003. Prior to his appointment, he served as Deputy State Court Administrator for 19 years. He was the District Court Administrator for the Third Judicial District of Iowa from 1977 to 1984. Boyd earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Idaho in 1973 and a Master's Degree in political science and government from the University of Arizona in 1976. In addition, he attended courses at the Institute of Court Management. In 2014, Boyd was named vice-chair of the Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts and president of the Conference of State Court Administrators., a national organization that represents the top judicial administrators of the 50 states and U.S. territories.
"I want to thank the court as an institution for the opportunities I have been given over the years," Boyd said. "At last count, I have had the opportunity to work for 29 of the 110 justices that have served on the supreme court, including six chief justices. It has been my pleasure to serve with at least 50 court of appeals and district court chief judges, as well as at least 30 district court administrators. Most importantly, it has been my privilege to serve with literally thousands of judicial branch employees, the most dedicated and best public servants you could find anywhere."
"As I reflect on all of David's accomplishments," Chief Justice Cady said, "I think he will most be remembered for how he cares for each member of the Iowa Judicial Branch staff as a family. He knows the faces and names of most of the 1,900 employees and has spent hours of his own time attending functions, celebrations, and retirements throughout the state and going to hospitals to offer his support to employees and their families."
As State Court Administrator, Boyd is the principal administrative officer of the Iowa Judicial Branch and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the state court system, which employees about 1,900 people and has a $178 million operating budget. He also serves as Executive Secretary to the Iowa Commission on Judicial Qualifications and the State Judicial Nominating Commission and is the administrator of the Iowa Judicial Retirement System.
The Iowa Supreme Court will begin the search to find Boyd's successor the first of the year.
For More Information:
Contact: Steve Davis, Court Communications Director, (515)725-8058 or steve.davis@iowacourts.gov
Iowa Supreme Court
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-3952