Glynn Birch
MADD National President
July 2005 – June 2008

Following the tragic death of his 21-month-old son to drunk driving, Glynn Birch joined MADD and was asked to share his story. He has been sharing it ever since to help protect other families from this violent crime. Glynn’s election as the National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) makes him the first male and minority president in the organization’s 25-year history. He’s been volunteering his time and talents for more than 15 years advancing MADD’s mission at the local, state and national levels.

On May 3, 1988, Glynn’s son, Courtney, was playing with his two older cousins at his Grandmother’s house. Hearing the luring music of an ice cream truck, Courtney followed his cousins outside. That’s when the offender’s car came barreling down the street and hit Courtney at 70-miles per hour, dragging his small body over 150 feet before the car stopped. Courtney was killed instantly.

The drunk driver had a blood alcohol level of .26 at the time of the crash and was driving with a revoked license and three prior DUI convictions. Glynn’s attorney suggested he contact MADD and with MADD’s help, Glynn wrote a victim impact statement helping send the offender to 15 years in prison — the maximum penalty at the time.

Following the trial, Glynn began serving as a volunteer speaker for the MADD Central Florida Chapter in Orlando. He was elected to the chapter’s Board of Directors in 1998, and in 1999, was voted chapter president. Glynn was a featured speaker at the MADD National Diversity Forum in 1999 and at several MADD national conferences, served as a trainer for new victim advocates and represented MADD to numerous groups during his tenure. In 2000, Glynn was elected to the MADD National Board of Directors and has served on various committees. Elected to a second Board term in 2003, Glynn was named the National Vice President of Victim Issues, where his contribution and leadership helped MADD serve more victims/survivors as well as recruit and train more victim advocates.

Glynn lives in Orlando, Florida and has two grown sons, Adrian and Rahmlee, and four grandchildren.