Carleen Dark-Bays is a Tyler native with a heart for service and a strong background in business, media, and community leadership.
Carleen attended Clarkston Elementary School, Moore Middle School, Robert E. Lee High School, and Tyler Junior College. After beginning her career in Tyler, she spent several years in California before returning home. She and her husband, Brad, have three children and one granddaughter, and they are active members of Bethel Downtown Church.
Carleen’s career includes leadership roles in sales, media, and strategic marketing. She began her career while attending Tyler Junior College and later moved into corporate training, opening new restaurant locations across Texas. She went on to become the first female salesperson in the 80-year history of Butler Paper Company, led top-performing radio sales teams at KNUE, held executive roles with CBS in California, and served as Market President for Townsquare Media in Tyler. Today, she runs CDB Consulting, a firm specializing in media buying, events, and strategic marketing.
Carleen has served the community through several local organizations, including Pets Fur People, HeadUp TBI, and Heart of Tyler. She is currently Chair-Elect of the United Way of Smith County, chairs the Texas Music Friendly City Advisory Board, and has served on the City of Tyler Planning and Zoning Commission.
In addition to her professional and civic service, Carleen leads a faith-based outreach initiative supporting women recovering from divorce. She has been named a Woman of Courage by the Children’s Advocacy Center and is a member of the Women’s Fund of Smith County and the Smith County Republican Women.
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