BIOGRAPHY OFMICHAEL F. SMITH, GRAND EXALTED RULER,2010-2011Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the U.S.A. Michael Smith was born and raised in Plant City,Florida, the second of two children. He was never farfrom the ocean and from Florida's inland lakes, andhe developed a lifelong love of water. A strong athlete,Michael excelled in sports and was named captain ofhis high school basketball team, which won the statechampionship during his senior year. He was namedMVP of the tournament, captain of the All-Star team,and captain and MVP of the North-South All Stars.He received a full basketball scholarship to St. LeoCollege, in Florida.After college, Michael married his high school sweetheart, Sandra, and they started a family. Michael was initiated into the Plant City, Florida, Lodge, his father's lodge, on January 22, 1979, and with Sandra'ssupport, immediately became active in lodge activities and committees. Both their son, Todd, and their daughter, Jennifer, grew up in the lodge and both have continued their family's involvement with the Order. Todd became a member of the Plant City Lodge on September 25, 1995, and Jennifer's husband, Steve, is a past exalted ruler at the Plant City Lodge. Michael and Sandra are veryproud of both children and their many accomplishments.Jennifer is a high school teacher and college professorand Todd is a pharmaceutical representative. Michaeland Sandra also enjoy their seven grandchildren andare happy to cheer them on in their many youth sportsactivities.As a member of the Plant City Lodge, Michaelstarted Christmas in the Park, which became an annualChristmas Day tradition in downtown Plant City, duringwhich the Elks would cook a traditional turkey dinner fora few thousand less fortunate families. He also initiatedannual holiday dinners to honor the local police andfire departments.Michael has served the Plant City Elks in manypositions, including two terms as exalted ruler (1992–1993 and 1993–1994). He worked his way through thechairs, spent several years as a trustee, and still chairsthe Memorial Day Service each year. At the state level,Michael was named district vice president before servingthe Florida State Elks Association as state president in2001–2002. Michael sits on several boards for the state,including the Florida State Elks Association board ofdirectors, and he is currently chairman and presidentof the Harry-Anna Investment Fund. At the GrandLodge level, Michael served in 1998–1999 as districtdeputy for the Southwest Central District of Floridabefore being appointed to the Grand Lodge's LodgeActivities Committee in 2000 and becoming chairmanin 2005. Chosen as Grand Esteemed Lecturing Knightfor 2005–2006, Michael joined the Grand Lodge Boardof Grand Trustees in 2006 and currently serves aschairman of the board.Michael has been in the insurance business forover thirty years, primarily in the health care field.His practice consists of payroll administration, humanresources, plan design, and administration for selffundedand fully insured benefit programs. Michaelalso works with Innovation HR & Benefits. In additionto the insurance industry, Michael is a partner in ahotel in St. Petersburg Beach, serves on the board ofdirectors for a management company, and has servedas the president of a condominium association for thepast twenty years.Michael enjoys golf and boating. His affiliations are theBPO Elks, Florida Association of Insurance and FinancialAdvisors, National Association of Health Underwriters,National Retirement Plan Advisors, National Associationof Professional Employer Organizations, First BaptistChurch of Plant City, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, andPasadena Yacht and Country Club, where Michael hasserved on the board of directors.Michael F. Smith is just one of many hardworkingand dedicated Florida Elks. He is convinced that ourfocus on charity, children, and veterans will rekindle ourdesire to serve and that if we "Promote Elks Passion,"the Order will prosper and attract new members."PROMOTE ELKS PASSION".