Greg Smith

After leaving KRHS, I attended Purdue University where I earned a BS in Electrical Engineering and then I began my 35 year career with General Motors. My first job was at Frigidaire in Dayton where my work included machine tool control, skilled trade supervision, and plant and facilities engineering which was centered on new building construction due to the growth in automotive air conditioning. I married Sandy, a Miami graduate, in 1966. We have a daughter Tara J who is married to James Ahler and they have one child. Our son, Graham S, and his wife, Tina, have two children.

In 1973 we moved to the Detroit area where I was assigned to the GM Overseas division. While in that position, I traveled to several countries and spent a year and a half in Iran with my family. We learned about life in the Middle East while in Tehran where day to day living was a challenge. We began our stay with a few phrases and many hand signals. Sandy learned the language that helped us survive in the Iranian community. Working at the GM plant that we were building was easier because the professional Iranians spoke English. We had a very positive stay in Iran during the 1970’s.

We came back to the U. S. and I resumed GM overseas staff work at the GM building, and Sandy resumed teaching. In 1982, while doing some development work on car assembly processes, I was asked to join an innovative group that was developing methods to make GM competitive in the world wide (mainly Japanese) small car engineering and manufacturing. This small car project was about a year old when a name was given to it to reflect its magnitude and innovative approach. We called it Saturn reflecting the same type of team work that was required to put a man on the moon. It has evolved into what is now the Saturn Division of GM.

Sandy and I became involved in activities that included coaching soccer, scouting, and other community organizations. As a scout leader, I started a new troop in our area that just celebrated its 25th anniversary. I also served in leadership roles at three National Scout Jamborees.

I retired in 1999 and we enjoy traveling, hobbies and our family. I have pursued old hobbies and started some new ones. I an involved in artistic blacksmithing and woodturning and have work in several galleries and participate in some local art fairs. The creative side of me has finally been set free!