Steve Bryles

Infobox State Senator
honorific-prefix =
name = Steve Bryles
honorific-suffix =


state_senate = Arkansas
district = 15th
term_start = 2001
term_end =
preceded =
succeeded =
birth_date = Birth date and age|1957|9|17|mf=y
birth_place = Piggott, Arkansas, U.S.
birthname =
nationality =
party = Democratic
spouse = Pamela
relations =
children =
residence = Blytheville, Arkansas
alma_mater = University of Arkansas
occupation =
religion =
website = [http://www.arkansas.gov/senate/details.php?district=15 Arkansas Senate Page]
footnotes =

Steve Bryles (born September 17, 1957) is an American politician and businessman. He is a member of the Arkansas Senate, representing Senate District 15, and a member of the Democratic Party.

Political career

Steve Bryles has represented Senate District 15 in the Arkansas Senate since 2001, which includes Mississippi and Poinsett counties. Elected in 2000 in his first venture into politics, Bryles defeated state representative, Joe Harris. His committee memberships include Public Education; Agriculture, Economic Development and Forestry; Joint Budget, and Legislative Council. In 2005, Bryles received the Distinguished Service Award from the Arkansas Municipal League, was honored for Distinguished Service by Arkansas State University, and was the recipient of the "Friend Award" from the Arkansas Association for Gifted Educators and Administrators. He was also recognized by the Arkansas Education Association for “outstanding leadership on behalf of public education” and has time and again been selected as a "Legislative Champion for Children" by Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has named him to its list of "Most Outstanding Legislators." In 2003, the paper quoted a lobbyist who said Bryles is “very smart and thoughtful. He’s well-respected for his honesty and courage.” The paper also wrote that “He can wheel and deal with good old boys. But he doesn’t always think like them” stressing his role in education reform.Fact|date=September 2008

In late 2004, Bryles was named a “Major Player” by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette as one who played a significant role on key legislation and influenced colleagues during the special session on education reform. The paper said he “led the effort for accountability…and helped bring business interests and school groups together to accept a compromise in his Senate Bill 33” later known as Act 35.

In 2005, the paper wrote: “Bryles is just the kind of guy you want on your side: powerful enough to put up a good fight, but even more likely to use his energy making sure nobody gets hurt.”Cite quote|date=September 2008 He has more than 27 years of experience in the cotton industry, and has transitioned his business into the digital era.

His community service in Blytheville and Mississippi County includes work to establish the Great River Economic Development Foundation. He was chairman of the campaign and a major fundraiser, and helped develope strategies to pass a ½ cent sales tax for economic development. The Foundation reports that more than 2,500 new jobs, with a payroll exceeding $85 million, have been created in the county since 2003.

Personal life

Born in Piggott, Arkansas, Bryles attended public schools in Star City, Osceola and Blytheville and majored in agricultural economics at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. A member of the First Presbyterian Church in Blytheville, Bryles and his wife, Pamela, are parents to one son and two daughters.

References

External links

* [http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=27746 Project Vote Smart - Senator Steve Bryles - Biography]