Carleen Dark-Bays for City Council
Pursuing Progress with Purpose
About Carleen
Carleen Dark-Bays is a proud Tyler native with a heart for service and a head for business. She attended Clarkston Elementary, Moore Middle School, Robert E. Lee High School, and Tyler Junior College. After starting her career in Tyler, Carleen spent several years in California before returning home, where she now lives with her husband, Brad. Together, they have three children, one granddaughter, and are active members of Bethel Downtown Church.
Carleen’s career is a testament to grit, growth, and leadership. She got her start waiting tables at Chili’s while supporting her studies at TJC, quickly rising to corporate training where she opened new locations across Texas. By her mid-20s, she had already distinguished herself as a capable leader in a competitive industry.
Her talent for sales and leadership soon led Carleen to break new ground as the first female salesperson in the 80-year history of Butler Paper Company. From there, she built a strong record of results, leading top-performing radio sales teams at KNUE, taking on executive roles at CBS in California, and ultimately becoming the Market President for Townsquare Media in Tyler. Today, Carleen runs CDB Consulting, her own firm specializing in media buying, events, and strategic marketing.
Beyond business, Carleen has always believed in giving back. She has served as President of Pets Fur People, HeadUp TBI, and Heart of Tyler, and she is currently Chair-Elect of the United Way of Smith County. She chairs the Texas Music Friendly City Advisory Board and plays an active role on the City of Tyler Planning & Zoning Commission, helping shape smart, sustainable growth for the city she loves.
Carleen also leads a faith-based outreach initiative to support women recovering from divorce, a deeply personal mission rooted in compassion and resilience. She has been named a Woman of Courage by the Children’s Advocacy Center and is a member of both the Women’s Fund of Smith County and the Smith County Republican Women.
On The Issues
Carleen’s campaign is focused on progress with purpose - investing in the future while protecting what makes Tyler great.
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We must create a city that works for everyone, from infants to retirees. Tyler’s 25–35-year-old population is 14%, compared to 30% in Dallas. Let’s change that - our businesses rely on this pivotal group for our workforce.
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Amenities will draw visitors and make life better for residents, from events and trails to downtown vitality and public spaces. Let’s invest in them!
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Smart investments in roads, water, and public safety keep our city running smoothly and support a growing workforce.
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Carleen believes in doing more with less and making every dollar work for the people of Tyler. No sacred cows, just smart solutions.
Testimonials
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Laurie Payton
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using 'Content here, content web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for 'lorem ipsum' will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
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Jamie Kokot
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using 'Content here, content web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for 'lorem ipsum' will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
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Lindsey Beumer
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It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using 'Content here, content web page editors now use Lorem Ipsum as their default model text, and a search for 'lorem ipsum' will uncover many web sites still in their infancy.
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Keith Finley
Client
Why Vote For Carleen?
Proven Leadership
Carleen built her career from the ground up, going from working as a waitress to running a $6 million budget at a major media group.
Heart For Service
Carleen is a dedicated volunteer, nonprofit leader, and currently serves on important decision-making boards for the City of Tyler.
Rooted In Tyler
Carleen grew up here, built her business here, and serves here.
Business-Minded, People-Focused
Carleen understands both economic development and community well-being.
Creative Problem Solver
Carleen believes in data, innovation, and leaving no idea unexplored.
