Hunter Engineering is saddened to announce the passing of longtime employee Dave Smith. Smith worked for Hunter for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 2014. He was 75.
Smith joined Hunter in 1975 as a business representative for Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina, before a promotion to Cleveland regional manager in 1980. He became Hunter’s vice president of sales and marketing in 1984 and moved to corporate headquarters in St. Louis, followed by a promotion to senior vice president in 2008.
Known for his love of golf and great sense of humor, Smith was instrumental in leading Hunter through a period of great growth, increasing the company’s sales and service organization from 200 representatives to more than 630.
As senior vice president, Smith continued to manage Hunter’s dedicated field organization throughout North America and provided guidance to Hunter’s marketing department.
“Dave took over Hunter’s sales organization at a difficult time in the company’s history," Hunter Chairman Stephen Brauer said when Smith retired. "His enthusiasm and dedication for the next 24 years led to the creation of the industry’s greatest equipment sales and service force and unprecedented success with all of Hunter’s major customers. Dave’s contribution to Hunter’s growth is immeasurable.”
Smith was living in Port St. Lucie, FL, at the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Kim and grandsons Lucas, Benjamin and Blake.
