Kenneth E. Smith, '84

Kenneth E. Smith, '84

Education 

  • M.A. Organizational Leadership, Regent University - School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship 
  • B.A. Business Administration and Computer Systems, Grove City College  

Professional Experience 
After 35 years in business and teaching a variety of entrepreneurship courses on a part-time basis, I became a full-time Grove City College faculty member in 2019. I am particularly interested in redemptive entrepreneurship and in helping students develop the skills and understanding to take their ideas from vision to reality.

Prior to coming on full-time, I spent 25 years with H. B. Maynard and Company, a Pittsburgh-based management consulting firm where I transitioned from a software helpdesk position through positions of increasing leadership to CEO. Maynard gave me the opportunity to experience all aspects of building, growing, and selling a successful business. Since selling and transitioning the business to Accenture in 2006-07, I have taken what I learned at Maynard and applied it to my work with several start-up / redemptive for-profit and not-for-profit ventures. 

I have been a member of Blue Tree Allied Angels and an active investor in several companies including 4moms, Safest Seats, Shoeftr (acquired by Amazon), StatEasy, Zone 2 and Simcoach Games. For the five years prior to coming to Grove City College full-time, I served as CEO of Simcoach Games, a serious video game spin-out of Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to Simcoach, I serve on the board of Provident Group, a specialty program insurance provider for first responders. 

When completing my M.A. in organizational leadership from Regent University’s School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship in 2011, I was awarded the best culminating project award of my graduating class for research done on the leadership characteristics most prevalent in successful entrepreneurs. We are continuing this work as part of my entrepreneurial leadership class as we specifically consider the implications of “redemptive entrepreneurship.”

Courses

  • Law for the Entrepreneur
  • Ethics for the Entrepreneur
  • Managing a Growing Enterprise
  • Entrepreneurial Leadership
  • Family Business Management
  • Entrepreneurial Finance / Venture Capital
  • Business Planning
  • Corporate Innovation

What is the most important piece of advice you give students to help them succeed? 
Think big! Consider how you can help make a better world. Envision the expertise you will need to get it done and set out to develop mastery, seeking fulfillment in taking each step on the journey to get there, not in reaching the destination. 

Is there any personal experience you would like to share?
I was honored to be awarded the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award from the College in the field of business in 2006. 

My wife Amy (’85) and I share time between Pittsburgh and Lake Latonka and have raised four children. We love serving young people through our work with the Pittsburgh Fellows, YoungLife, and the CCO, and also enjoy fitness and playing golf.

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