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 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 reponse 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 served as chairman of VCARD (Volusia County Association for Responsible Development) and chairman of Embry-Riddle University’s Athletic Association.  He is active in the Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce and FUTURES education foundation.  He has served on NBA player Vince Carter’s Embassy of Hope Foundation and has coached 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 graduate of the Speaker’s Academy conducted by the Central Florida Chapter of the National Speakers Association. The Academy is an intensive development school for professional level speakers. He is now serving as Dean of the 2008-2009 Academy. He was named NSA Central Florida’s Member of The Year for 2007-2008.

Florida’s network of Small Business Development Centers selected Hardy as one of their 30th anniversary “Small Business Success Stories”.