Page 42 - Life_In_Naples_Magazine_January_2015
P. 42
THE
WINNERS
CIRCLE
naples style
by Sandra Lee Buxton
A s you gaze around the room, there’s not a stand out, “ Wayne has been awarded
just beautifully dressed people engaged in social
honors for service in combat
chit chat. The environment is decorated in a theme
appropriate manner and everyone looks happy and carefree.
As you approach Wayne Smith he fits in just as the others including two Silver Stars,
do, pleased to enjoy the moment and not a care in the world. The Legion of Merit, two
Talking with Wayne is Distinguished Flying Crosses,
easy as he is outgoing,
friendly to everyone and two Bronze “V” Stars,
well versed on a variety of seven Air Medals and
topics. Wayne however is
not just like everyone The Purple Heart.
else: he is remarkable, as ”
in worthy to be remarked for the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America. Wayne has
about. extensive business expertise and is mentioned in leadership
and management reference books: such as The Change
Originally from
Kentucky he graduated Management Handbook: A road to Corporate Transformation
from the Air Force
(pg 472- 473) and The Paradox Principles: How High
Academy and became a Performance Companies Manage Chaos, Complexity and
weapons test pilot, served Contradiction to Achieve Superior Results (pg 146-148). Wayne
in Southeast Asia and retired in 1999 from his professional career and has lived in
later flew 90 F-4 combat missions over North Vietnam and Naples since. Just as many executives do when they move
Laos. It was miraculous that he survived five years and two here; he has repurposed his skills and uses them to benefit
months as a POW and was repatriated in March of 1973. his other passion, Veterans Affairs. He serves on the Board
This five year experience is the stuff that movies are made of, of Directors of DVIC, Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers,
action thrillers and a version of hell. Those of us who haven’t and a nonprofit organization with the mission to educate,
served in the military can’t imagine this situation and very train and create meaningful employment opportunities
few would have the courage to live through it. Wayne has within the insurance industry for Disabled Veterans. He
been awarded honors for service in combat including two enjoys meeting and listening to WWII Veterans tell their
Silver Stars, The Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying story or giving speeches around the state. He served as the
Crosses, two Bronze “V” Stars, seven Air Medals and The Honorary Chair for the inaugural Collier County Honor
Purple Heart. Wayne’s demeanor shows no indication of his Flight and is currently involved in the Naples Spirit of ’45,
incredible history, understated and humble, just doing his job Peter Thomas History Fund which is housed at the Holocaust
he’ll tell you. Wayne continued his love of flying by working Museum of SWFL. He also values his role in working with
for Eastern Air Lines as a B 727 pilot prior to transitioning Victory Florida, a 2015 state wide promotion to highlight
into the corporate world, where once again his integrity and Florida’s Role in WWII. Retired Captain Wayne Smith,
leadership skills were sought. United States Air Force, stand in honor of his service, stand
Wayne has led others as President and COO of BF
in honor of this man. Welcome this Officer and Gentleman
Goodrich and prior to that he was CEO of BOC group to the Winners Circle, Naples Style.
42 Life in Naples | January 2015
WINNERS
CIRCLE
naples style
by Sandra Lee Buxton
A s you gaze around the room, there’s not a stand out, “ Wayne has been awarded
just beautifully dressed people engaged in social
honors for service in combat
chit chat. The environment is decorated in a theme
appropriate manner and everyone looks happy and carefree.
As you approach Wayne Smith he fits in just as the others including two Silver Stars,
do, pleased to enjoy the moment and not a care in the world. The Legion of Merit, two
Talking with Wayne is Distinguished Flying Crosses,
easy as he is outgoing,
friendly to everyone and two Bronze “V” Stars,
well versed on a variety of seven Air Medals and
topics. Wayne however is
not just like everyone The Purple Heart.
else: he is remarkable, as ”
in worthy to be remarked for the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America. Wayne has
about. extensive business expertise and is mentioned in leadership
and management reference books: such as The Change
Originally from
Kentucky he graduated Management Handbook: A road to Corporate Transformation
from the Air Force
(pg 472- 473) and The Paradox Principles: How High
Academy and became a Performance Companies Manage Chaos, Complexity and
weapons test pilot, served Contradiction to Achieve Superior Results (pg 146-148). Wayne
in Southeast Asia and retired in 1999 from his professional career and has lived in
later flew 90 F-4 combat missions over North Vietnam and Naples since. Just as many executives do when they move
Laos. It was miraculous that he survived five years and two here; he has repurposed his skills and uses them to benefit
months as a POW and was repatriated in March of 1973. his other passion, Veterans Affairs. He serves on the Board
This five year experience is the stuff that movies are made of, of Directors of DVIC, Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers,
action thrillers and a version of hell. Those of us who haven’t and a nonprofit organization with the mission to educate,
served in the military can’t imagine this situation and very train and create meaningful employment opportunities
few would have the courage to live through it. Wayne has within the insurance industry for Disabled Veterans. He
been awarded honors for service in combat including two enjoys meeting and listening to WWII Veterans tell their
Silver Stars, The Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying story or giving speeches around the state. He served as the
Crosses, two Bronze “V” Stars, seven Air Medals and The Honorary Chair for the inaugural Collier County Honor
Purple Heart. Wayne’s demeanor shows no indication of his Flight and is currently involved in the Naples Spirit of ’45,
incredible history, understated and humble, just doing his job Peter Thomas History Fund which is housed at the Holocaust
he’ll tell you. Wayne continued his love of flying by working Museum of SWFL. He also values his role in working with
for Eastern Air Lines as a B 727 pilot prior to transitioning Victory Florida, a 2015 state wide promotion to highlight
into the corporate world, where once again his integrity and Florida’s Role in WWII. Retired Captain Wayne Smith,
leadership skills were sought. United States Air Force, stand in honor of his service, stand
Wayne has led others as President and COO of BF
in honor of this man. Welcome this Officer and Gentleman
Goodrich and prior to that he was CEO of BOC group to the Winners Circle, Naples Style.
42 Life in Naples | January 2015
