David Smith was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2018, and re-elected in 2020 and 2022. He represents much of Seminole County. He is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and lives in Winter Springs. For the last twelve years he has worked in Central Florida’s Simulation and Training industry.
David’s family moved to Central Florida in 1972. His father was a career U.S. Army officer and Vietnam Veteran. David attended Texas A&M University on a military scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
David earned his wings at NAS Pensacola and launched his career as a UH-1N helicopter pilot. During his 30 year Marine Corps career he flew more than 4,500 accident-free flight hours and held every Instructor Pilot qualification in the Huey helicopter. During his career he made six extended deployments overseas or aboard ship, including a combat tour flying in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 1997, in addition to his flying duties, he began managing military procurement contracts. He is a graduate of the Defense Acquisition University and also holds a Master’s degree in Business Management from Florida Institute of Technology. From 2005-2009 he commanded Fleet Readiness Center East located at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC. This aviation repair depot employed over 4,000 people and generated more than $770 million dollars in annual revenue. At the time, FRC East was the largest industrial employer in the state of North Carolina.
From 2009-2012 he led a workforce of 200 military and civilian employees at the Central Florida Research Park. He managed a portfolio of $1.4 billion dollars worth of Simulation and Training projects. Colonel Smith is the recipient of multiple combat decorations and numerous personal awards for sustained superior performance.
Since leaving active duty, David has been very active in community affairs. He is a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Club of Winter Springs. He is a member of the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce, multiple Veterans organizations and many other local non-profit groups. Like fellow Rotarians Jody, Walt and Ollie, he is a graduate of the inaugural class of OCBA’s Leadership Law, Leadership Orlando class #78 and Leadership Seminole class #26. David is a member of Cross Life Church in Oviedo.
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