David’s family moved to Central Florida in 1972. His father was a career U.S. Army officer and Vietnam Veteran. His extended family still lives in Merritt Island.
Growing up and throughout high school, David was very active in sports. He played on both community and school baseball, basketball, football, and tennis teams. Additionally, he acted in multiple community theater productions, which included roles in Inherit the Wind, Guys & Dolls, Harvey, The Madwoman of Chaillot, The Lion in Winter, Macbeth, As You Like It, and Jesus Christ Superstar. David attended vocational training in high school and earned a certification in welding.
David attended Texas A&M University on a military scholarship and graduated in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Upon graduation he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. David earned his wings of gold at NAS Pensacola launching his career as a UH-1N helicopter pilot.
During his career he flew more than 4,500 accident free flight hours and was a designated Weapons and Tactics Instructor. He made six extended deployments overseas or aboard ship, including a combat tour flying in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition to his flying duties, David also had multiple assignments as a Program Manager overseeing military procurement contracts.
After graduating from the Defense Acquisition University he was selected by the Marine Corps as one of their first Acquisition Professionals. David also holds a Master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology in Business Management.
He had Command assignments or Program Management responsibility for three separate billion-dollar programs, and his final Marine Corps assignment was leading a military and civilian workforce at the Central Florida Research Park that managed $1.4 billion worth of Simulation & Training projects.
After 30 years of service, David retired at the rank of Colonel. He has worked in the private sector of Central Florida’s Simulation & Training industry for the last seven years. He currently owns a business consulting company.
Colonel David Smith lives in Winter Springs and is very active in community affairs. He is a Paul Harris fellow at the Winter Springs Rotary Club, a member of the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce, VFW Post 5405 and multiple other Veterans organizations and local non-profit groups. He is a member of Leadership Orlando class #78 and Leadership Seminole class #26. David is a member of CrossLife Church in Oviedo.
The Florida House Republican Campaign Committee endorses and urges you to vote for Paul Renner, Daniel Perez, and David Smith, Republicans, for State Representative. Paid by the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee, 1103 Hays St. Tallahassee, FL 32301. Approved by Paul Renner, Daniel Perez and David Smith.