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Qualifications/Credentials
Hardy
Smith has an extensive background of both leadership and
volunteer role involvement with nonprofit, community, and
volunteer based organizations. As a speaker and trainer he
has generated results nationwide for groups needing
assistance with fundraising, sponsorships, membership
(recruitment, activation, & retention), leadership
development, public relations & promotions, motivation,
event planning, and increasing organizational effectiveness.
His hands on experience with nonprofits is enhanced by 30
years of working in media, sales management, and in the
world of NASCAR racing.
Hardy has professional media experience as an award winning
radio news reporter, radio on air personality, radio station
operations manager, and national correspondent for NBC, CBS,
ABC, UPI, and AP radio networks. He has been a broadcast
director for MRN (Motor Racing Network) and writer for the
Birmingham News.
As Director of Administration for Talladega Superspeedway,
his responsibilities included: community and governmental
relations, media and sponsor relations, event organization
and promotion, advertising sales, as well as writing news
releases and program articles. He was sponsor representative
to the ARCA Talladega Supercar Series racing circuit.
When promoted to a corporate position with International
Speedway Corporation, his duties included coordination of
community and governmental relations at local, state, and
national levels. He was involved in event planning and
organization, and development of existing and new
facilities. His experience also included serving as a
community and governmental relations representative for
NASCAR.
As Executive Director of the National Motorsports Council,
Hardy coordinated response to governmental action affecting
the motor sports industry. He also led the organization’s
fundraising efforts.
Hardy has put his experience with nonprofits to work
benefiting his personal involvement with community and
volunteer organizations. He has been active in the Daytona
Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce and the FUTURES
Foundation for Volusia County schools.
He has served as chairman of VCARD (Volusia County
Association for Responsible Development), chairman of
Embry-Riddle University’s Athletic Association, and coach of
Junior Eagles Basketball.
He has served as chairman of the State of Florida Department
of Juvenile Justice Business Partners, president of the
Talladega, AL Chamber of Commerce, president of the
Talladega Jaycees, president of the Alabama Jaycees, and
national vice president of the United States Jaycees.
He is a graduate of Jacksonville State University where he
attended on an athletic scholarship in cross country and
track.
Hardy is a member of the National Speakers Association and
is active in the Central Florida Chapter of NSA. He was
named NSA Central Florida’s 2008-2009 Member Of The Year.
He is a member of BoardSource and Florida’s network of Small
Business Development Centers selected Hardy as one of their
30th anniversary “Small Business Success Stories.” |