IT Industry Executive David P. Smith Honored With CompTIA Lifetime Achievement Award

Past board president recognized for contributions to association, IT services professionalism and philanthropic works

A veteran information technology (IT) industry executive who’s worked for decades to strengthen CompTIA and its services community, and to create career opportunities for more people, is the recipient of the 2014 CompTIA Lifetime Achievement Award, the non-profit association for the IT industry announced recently.

David P. Smith, vice president for field services at Dallas-based CompuCom Systems, Inc., received the award Tuesday night during the CompTIA Annual Member Meeting.

“Throughout his career Dave has been a champion for CompTIA and for the IT channel,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA.

“Dave has brought guidance and leadership to the CompTIA Board of Directors; direction and wisdom to the IT channel and its services arm; and caring and compassion in his support of a variety of charitable endeavors,” Thibodeaux continued. “It’s an honor to recognize Dave Smith with a lifetime achievement award.”

Smith served as chairman of the CompTIA Board of Directors in 2003 and 2004. During his tenure, the association added to its portfolio of skills certifications for IT professionals; broadened its membership reach to include companies from the telephony market; launched a market research program; expanded a career education initiative to international markets; and promoted greater access to digital literacy programs.

Prior to his election as chairman, Smith served on the board of directors for two years. He’s been an active member of the CompTIA IT Services and Support Community and was co-chair of the community’s predecessor, the CompTIA Services Section.

Following his term as CompTIA chairman, Smith was named to the CompTIA Educational Foundation Leadership Council (now known as the Creating IT Futures Foundation). Smith is also a long-time supporter of the National Cristina Foundation, which promotes the reuse of technology to enable people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons to have opportunities, through training, to lead more independent and productive lives.

Smith is the fourth person to be honored with a CompTIA Lifetime Achievement Award. The others are Gary Gillam of Xerox Corporation, Vic Melfa of The Training Associates and John Venator, former president and CEO of CompTIA.

About The CompTIA Annual Member Meeting
Hundreds of top executives from all corners of the IT industry are gathered here this week for the CompTIA Annual Member Meeting. These industry leaders will network; discuss the hottest topics and biggest issues affecting the IT channel; and collaborate on strategic planning and actionable initiatives to help advance the industry. Cloud computing, IT security, managed IT services, managed print services, mobility, women in IT and tech convergence are among the topics they’ll address this week.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.comptia.org/home.aspx