The Pastoral Institute has named Laura D. Byard director of Right From the Start, a marriage and family program dedicated to building strong marriages and families. She provides training for couples in distress, as well as those preparing for marriage.

Byard is a licensed professional counselor currently in private practice in nearby LaGrange, Ga. She received her master's degree in professional counseling from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Atlanta, and her bachelor's degree in psychology from Mercer University in Macon, Ga.

Byard has an extensive background in counseling and educational outreach to families and communities through her association with Roosevelt Wilderness Camp, Beech Creek Outdoor Therapeutic Program, The Bridge Inc., Randolph Medical Center and West Georgia Psychiatric Center.

Mardis named home-building Executive Officer of the Year

Mary Mardis, executive officer of the Greater Columbus Home Builders Association, has been presented with the Executive Officer of the Year Award by the Home Builders Association of Georgia.

The honor is designed to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of an executive officer in the field of association management. It is the highest honor that can be awarded in the field.

Moody promoted to business manager at state prison

Connie Moody has been promoted to business manager at Rutledge State Prison in Columbus. She started her career at Georgia State Prison in 2004 as a clerk, transferring to Internal Affairs in 2007 as a secretary and then to the Columbus Day Reporting Center in 2012. Shortly after her arrival there, she was promoted to accounting paraprofessional at Rutledge State Prison, the position she held before the latest promotion.