Legacy Award Recipient Named
(Muncie, Indiana – May 16, 2012) The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Van P. Smith will be recognized as the 2012 recipient of the Chamber's Legacy Award.
"Van's distinguished career with Ontario Corporation and Sherry Laboratories, as well as his tireless volunteer services with both the local and U.S. Chambers of Commerce and numerous other organizations made him a stand out among this year's nominees," said Chamber President and CEO, Jay Julian.
Smith will be honored at the 2012 Legacy Gala scheduled for Saturday, August 4, 2012, at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Indiana.
Smith has a long history of community giving in business, government, and service organizations.
In 1960, Smith was elected to a term as Indiana State Representative. Later, he held presidential appointments as a member of the U.S. Observation Team for the Philippine national election, Co-Chair of the Reagan Presidential Asian Trade Mission, and Co-Chair of the Export Now national initiative. He served as Chair for two successful U.S. Senate campaigns of Senator Dan Coats and of Congressman Mike Pence and is now serving on Pence’s gubernatorial campaign. He also served nine years as Chair of the Indiana Citizens Republican Finance Committee. Smith has been elected delegate to four National Republican Conventions and all Indiana State Republican Conventions for over forty years. In 1953, as a First Lieutenant, he concluded three years of U.S. Air Force service.
In business, Smith was the Chairman, President and Director of Ontario Corporation and its subsidiaries for more than 50 years. Those subsidiaries included, at various periods, Ontario's U.S. Forging operations, CDS Engineering, Ontario Development, Ontario Forging (U. K.), Ontario Systems, Pyromet Industries, Sherry Laboratories, and WFFT-TV (Fort Wayne). During his active business career, he also served as a Director of several for-profit corporations, including Public Service Indiana, Indiana Bell, Marsh Supermarkets, Industrial Trust and Savings Bank, Maxon Corporation, N.G. Gilbert Corp., Cinergy Corp., Lilly Industrial Coatings, Dalton Foundries, and Meridian Insurance. Smith is currently the Executive Manager of Sherry Holdings, LLC and Techsmith, LLC.
Smith’s not-for-profit national service include terms as Chairman of the Board of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the National Board of the American Automobile Association, President of the Forging Industry Association, and Vice Chair of Trustees of Interlochen Center for the Arts.
In addition, Smith’s Muncie and Indiana community service roles included Presidency of the City Hall Building Corp., who completed the building on time and under budget, President of the Northside High School Building Corp., first President of the Police and Fire Merit Commission (enacted by legislation he had introduced as a State Representative), Director of Delaware Advancement Corp., Community Foundation and President of Muncie Rotary, Muncie Symphony, and Muncie Mission. He served as Chairman of AAA/Hoosier Motor Club Board, President of the Indiana Manufacturers Association, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. He also served 22 years on the Indiana Higher Education Commission and served as Chair of Colgate Trustees as well as Vice (and Interim) Chair of Catholic University Board of Trustees.
He holds a law degree from Georgetown University and five honorary doctorates (BSU, Col, CUA, ISU, Vin). Smith has also been recognized as the 1991 Indiana Business Person of the Year, Muncie's 2002 Viva Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Governor's Meritorious Service Award from Governor Daniels.
He and his wife Margaret are the parents of five adult children and nineteen (19) grandchildren.
Reservations to attend the Gala recognizing Smith can be made by contacting Brenda Brumfield at 765-751-9128 or bbrumfield@muncie.com.
The inaugural Legacy Award was presented in 2011 to Dr. Joann Gora, President of Ball State University.
The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce has been serving the community since 1894.