Meet Wayne Smith

For 50 years, Wayne Smith has captured the essence of an enterprising, creative, passionate, and selfless individual whose career accomplishments have left their mark on the lives of many. Having attended Bowling Green and Marquette University, both in Political Science and Government, Wayne made a career for himself as a playmaker for many years on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

 

Boasting work with prominent leaders like Hubert Humphrey, attorney F. Lee Baily, and the late great musician B.B. King, Wayne established major trade associations in the fields of education, transportation, and health. He did this as President of the Wayne Smith Management Company, whose central focus was public relations and association management.

 

Wayne’s accomplishments over the years include the founding of, and then working for:

 

*(FAIRR) Foundation for the Advancement of Inmate Rehabilitation and Recreation

 

*(UBOA) United Bus Owners of America

 

*(UMA) United Motor Coach Association

 

*(PATCO) Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization

 

*(SBLC) Small Business Legislative Council

 

*(NLA) National Limousine Association

 

*(iSPA) International Spa & Fitness Association

 

*(IFA) International Fitness Association

 

*(ASAE) American Society of Association Executives

 

Wayne’s fondness for coalition-building and invoking change have been the cornerstones of a long and successful business career. Even today, Wayne can be seen still working and actively participating in local and state politics. He is involved with the village of Estero, Lee, and Collier Counties, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Wayne also supports or champions many political issues in Tallahassee. He currently serves as President and Trustee for the Smith Family Foundation, whose sole mission is to promote the education, health, and social services needed by our community.

 

Wayne and his wife Sharon are philanthropists who generously invest not only their resources but their time and talent for the betterment of the community they reside in and love. In appreciation and recognition of Wayne’s ongoing philanthropy efforts and unyielding dedication to the Florida Gulf Coast University, on December 14, 2022, Wayne was presented with an honorary degree.

 

We cannot speak highly enough about Wayne. He is the heart of our community. As a strategic thinker, with visionary like problem solving capabilities, all of which seem to come naturally to him, he is a tremendous asset to any organization that he is involved with. That is why we are so very fortunate to have his leadership and guidance as part of the Estero Forever Foundation.