Expertise
With 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Smith possesses deep expertise in bar and restaurant development, operations, and growth. He has successfully created, owned, and operated a range of thriving hospitality ventures, from Polly Esther’s Dance Clubs nationwide to Matchbox Food Group, Ted’s Bulletin, DC-3 and Minute Man Burgers across Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, California and Arkansas.
Hospitality and service are at the core of Smith’s leadership philosophy. He is passionate about team development, believing that success is built on the strength of the people behind it. Committed to cultivating the next generation of industry leaders, he focuses on mentoring Millennial and Gen Z professionals through principles of accountable servant leadership.
Most recently, Smith led his restaurant group to become a thriving organization of over 650 employees. At Matchbox Food Group, he played a pivotal role in PR, branding, communications, human resources, legal, licensing, operations, and site selection.
In addition to building and operating successful concepts, Smith served as chief legal officer, drawing on his firsthand experience to navigate the complexities of workers' compensation, dram shop and insurance claims to provide valuable insights and strategic guidance. At Cayuga Hospitality Associates, he continues to leverage this experience as a successful Expert Witness in the hospitality industry.
Professional & Other
Adjunct Instructor
Joint Special Operations Forces University (JSOU), Tampa, FL
Developed systems models for small business growth as a way to mitigate conflict scenarios for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trained Special Forces troops and military families in the use of the Kairos Cognitive Preference Survey in addition to developing servant leadership curriculum.
MacDill Air force Base Tampa, FL under General Joe Votel
Special Forces (SOCOM)
Executive Leadership Development and Readiness Support
Fort Belvoir Fairfax, VA
Adjunct Lecturer
Lehigh University, College of Business and Economics
NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development
Johns Hopkins, Carey Business School
Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business
Media Ecology Association
Lerch Early Brewer, LLP
Soldiers to Sidelines
Organizations:
Avalon Leadership Institute, President
The Minute Man Foundation, President
Neuroleadership Institute
Media Ecology Association
Asa Packer Society, Lehigh University
Executive Committee, Lehigh University Football Partnership
Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
