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.