Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - November 2019 | Page 8

LAWMAKER
6
Q&A
WITH DAVID SMITH
Briefly tell us about your
professional background.
Smith: I spent my career in the
U.S. Marine Corps and retired
a few years ago at the rank of
Colonel. Most of my 30 year
career was spent as a UH-1N
helicopter pilot. Much of my 4,500
flight hours were spent as an
Instructor Pilot and as a Weapons
& Tactics Instructor. I completed
six deployments overseas, but
all my combat time was flying in
Iraq. Additionally, because I had
the required education, training
and experience, I also had several
tours of duty as an Acquisition
Professional managing billions of
taxpayer dollars.
DITCHMEN • NOVEMBER 2019
What inspired you accept this
agency leadership position?
Smith: I was elected to House
District 28 after several friends
from my church and the Winter
Springs Rotary Club encouraged
me to run for the House of
Representatives.
What is your educational
background?
Smith: Bachelors of Business
Management from Texas A&M
University and a Master’s degree in
Management from Florida Institute
of Technology. I’m also a graduate
of the Defense Acquisition
University.