Columnist Bio

David Smith, CAE
President & CEO

Dave joined The Employers’ Association in 1989 as Director of Research and Information Resources. He was made President & CEO in 1994. Prior to joining The Association, Dave was Director of Human Resources for a local furniture manufacturer (5 years) responsible for Union Relations, Compensation, Safety/Environmental Compliance, and Organizational Development. His previous experience includes Human Resource Management for a local automotive supplier (1 year), Technical Recruiting (5 years) and Operations Management (2 years).

As President of The Association, Dave has developed and implemented more than 300 Compensation Administration Programs while at The Association and consulted with Members to resolve Organizational Development, Succession Planning, Staffing, Performance Management, Family Business, Safety/Health, and Legislative Compliance concerns. Dave has worked with Manufacturing, Service/Professional, Family Owned and Non-Profit businesses to provide strategic direction, planning, and consistent management techniques to promote excellence in the management of people. Dave is a frequent speaker on Compensation System Design, Performance Management, Healthcare Reform, Human Resource Compliance, and Generational Diversity issues. A regular contributor to both MiBiz (The Human Factor) and The Grand Rapids Business Journal (People Matters), Dave has had several of his articles reprinted for national publication. He also writes regularly in The Association’s newsletter (The Executive Update) and on his PRESIDENT’S BLOG (www.teagr.org). In addition to his business writings, Dave has been recognized as one of America’s best poets and compiled a book for future publication.

Seeking to strengthen both the community in which he lives and the business community in which he works, Dave has served on The National Association of Manufacturer’s Board of Directors, its President’s Council, and its Human Resources Policy Steering Committee. He has been active within the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, involved in its CEO Roundtable Program for more than 10 years. Additionally, Dave serves as:

• A Director for the Employers Associations of America (EAA), a national network of Employers Associations founded to promote Human Resource excellence
• A Director for Herbruck Poultry Ranch and Chair of its Compensation Committee
• Chair for the Kent/Allegan County Workforce Development Board and its Adult Committee
• Member of the YMCA HR Policy Committee
• Vice-Chair for the Kent Health Plan Board
• A Trustee for Michigan Blood and Chair of its HR/Compensation Committee
• A Director for Touchstone Innovare and member of its Finance Committee
• A Member of the Aligning Forces 4 Quality Planning Board and The Alliance For Health’s Business Group on Health
• Co-Chair for the Reentry Employment Resource Council
• A founding Advisory Board Member for Michigan Business and Professional Association’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in West Michigan
• A Deacon for Gun Lake Community Church and member of its Human Resource Policy Committee

Dave was graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (awarded dual majors in Chemistry and Psychology) then took further studies in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Purdue University. He has taken advanced coursework at the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, achieved the designation Certified Association Executive and been accepted into both the National and International Who’s Who Registry of Business Professionals. He and his wife Laura, a teacher for the Maple Valley School System, reside in Middleville and have a summer home on Gun Lake. They share the joys and opportunities and challenges presented to them by their three grown sons, Ryan, Eric and Jarod (and the families they are developing) with whom they enjoy golfing, boating, soccer and a number of other outdoor activities.