Men’s Round Up

About this event

At age 79, Lamar Smith is established in his fifth career. His first four completely different and very successful careers provided unique grounding and qualifications for the current focus. Lamar’s first career was as an entrepreneurial photographer during his college days, when he ran his own multi- faceted and highly successful business. Balancing a fifty-hour work week with maintaining a full university course load, he received his BBA in business administration (marketing) from Georgia State University in 1969. In 2018, Lamar was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate, GSU’s top alumnus honor. After graduating from college, Lamar began his second career. He entered the Air Force and attended Officer Training School, where he received his officer commission as a distinguished graduate. After graduating from a year of pilot training with the top flying scores in his class, Lamar entered the fighting in Southeast Asia. Over the next year he logged 117 missions, approximately half of which were associated with directing combat search and rescue efforts for downed crew members. Lamar’s decorations include two Silver Stars (gallantry), six Distinguished Flying Crosses (extreme heroism), and eleven Air Medals (heroism and meritorious achievement). After returning from Southeast Asia, Lamar married Jan Book and was assigned as an Instructor Pilot in the T- 38 advanced supersonic jet trainer. Here, 54 years later, the marriage is solid. In 1977, Lamar resigned his officer commission in the peace-time Air Force and started his third career—with

First Command Financial Planning—as a field representative. After five promotions in seven years, Lamar became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1985. Then, in 1992, he was designated Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until 2007 when he departed the executive ranks having increased the size of the company four-fold and earnings six-fold. His last year earnings were 27% of top line revenue. Lamar then concentrated his fourth career giving back as an outside member of for-profit and non-profit boards of directors, where he continues to add value with his business acumen and through his commitment to serving disadvantaged individuals, a form of “search and rescue.” Over the course of his first four careers, Lamar has honed his communication ability, learned about organizational dynamics, gained expertise in corporate governance, and learned about personal development/growth and team effectiveness. Now in his fifth career he is sharing powerful lessons with executives and professionals and their teams. Through writing, speaking, and involvement with key organizations, he accelerates the success of individual executives and professionals and their organizations.

Fellowship starts at 6:00 pm followed by dinner and the speaker. Ticket includes a meal. Outdoor venue, casual dress attire.