How long have you been a BAMA member? 5 months as of December 31st, 2023

What do you like most about being a BAMA member? BAMA has so many great things to offer, but I love that they invest in our youth through scholarship programs to help the future of manufacturing and fabricating needs in the Tampa Bay Area.

Tell us about your company? Smith Metal Source was started in 2001 by Bill Smith, Sr., and Bob Smith. We are a metals distribution center carrying stainless, carbon, and aluminum flat rolled and long products. The company has grown over the last 23 years, but the focus will always remain the same. Provide first-in-class customer service to manufacturers and fabricators in the Tampa Bay Area and throughout Central Florida.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?  My greatest accomplishment has been taking what I have learned in my sales and customer service career and teaching it to new employees. Knowing that our customers are in good hands and well taken care of by our employees gives me great confidence in the future of SMS.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? When I started at SMS, Donna told me, "Never give up! Outwork your competition, knock on doors, and show people you care. One of my favorite quotes is, “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” -Winston Churchill

What is the most important skill you have developed in your career? To listen. Listening is crucial to all effective communication. Without the ability to listen effectively, things are easily misunderstood, and communication breaks down.

What are your hobbies or interests? I enjoy traveling and visiting new cities and baseball stadiums across the country with my wife.