Smith recently retired after careers in general aviation and business aviation. His 45 years in aviation included senior management, engineering, sales, marketing, and customer services worldwide.

Smith graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, DC in 1966, and earned a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1970 from Northrop University in Los Angeles, CA.

Smith began flying lessons at age 15, and accomplished first solo flight on his 16th birthday. In his latter high school years, and during his first two years of college, he worked as an airport lineman. During this time Smith earned his Private, Multi-engine, Seaplane, Glider, Instrument, Commercial Pilot, and Certificated Flight Instructor Licenses. He also became a Licensed Airframe & Powerplant Aircraft Technician. Smith flight instructed through his college years, and remains a current Flight Instructor.

In 1972, Smith’s first job with a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) was at Piper Aircraft’s Vero Beach, FL Division. He started as an assistant final line clerk in methods engineering. Smith was shortly thereafter promoted into divisional customer services, and was promoted to manager a year later. In 1975, he was promoted to corporate customer services administrator at Piper’s Lock Haven, PA corporate headquarters, to oversee all Piper-built aircraft at four manufacturing divisions scattered around the USA.

Seeking overseas experience, in 1976 Smith was recruited as marketing officer for New Zealand Aerospace Industries, an OEM which manufactures agricultural and military training aircraft. NZAIL was also the sole NZ distributor for Grumman American aircraft. He was promoted to national sales manager a year later, and extensively flew various aircraft around both islands of New Zealand, calling on customers, and marketing aircraft and services. During his tenure, Smith was credited with a major financial turnaround for the company.

Two years later, Smith was recruited back to the USA as regional sales manager by Narco Avionics of Fort Washington, PA, a major avionics OEM at that time. He flew his own aircraft around 13 southeastern states and the Caribbean, calling on clients. Smith was credited with doubling territory sales.

Smith was recruited back to Piper Aircraft in 1980, and for the next 10 years was promoted through the management ranks, including senior positions in engineering, quality assurance, propjet demo pilot, product research, customer services, sales and marketing. His last Piper position was SVP of engineering, marketing, sales and customer services. Engineering duties included product design, aircraft development and certification, as well as R&D, production, and service support. Smith was credited with significantly increasing revenues while reducing costs.

In 1990, Smith was recruited by Textron Lycoming in Williamsport, PA, as worldwide head of sales for Lycoming’s OEM aircraft engine and aftermarket business segments. He doubled aftermarket revenues and increased Lycoming’s OEM market dominance.

In 1996, Textron Cessna in Wichita, KS recruited Smith to be worldwide head of sales, marketing and flight training, for Cessna’s restart of their single engine business unit. He hired his entire team from scratch, created Cessna’s overall single engine business plan, and established a worldwide sales distribution system, as well as the Cessna Pilot Center network for flight training. Sales and revenues exceeded Cessna expectations.

Smith was recruited by Bombardier Business Jets in 1998 for the marketing of Learjet, Challenger and Global Express product lines. He was initially sales director, and was later promoted to VP. Smith was recognized for significantly increasing market penetration with all product lines. He retired from Bombardier in 2011, and currently owns Cleared As Filed, a consulting company outside Washington, DC assisting aviation companies with business expansion, as well as assisting major corporations with the acquisition and sale of business jets.

Smith married Viki Hein in 1973. They have 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren.