Mr. Smith grew up in entrepreneurial / family businesses owned by his father and uncle in rural Tennessee. After receiving an MBA from the University of Chicago, Byron began his career at Procter & Gamble then Pepsico in advertising, brand management and classic packaged goods marketing.

After advancing quickly for 8 years with two of the world’s best marketing companies, Byron transitioned into high tech. First came 5 years at GTE Wireless (now Verizon) with the last 2 running all sales, field marketing and advanced data products. These five years marked the hyper-growth / entrepreneurial wireless years. Early in 1999, he left Verizon for AT&T. At AT&T, he ran the Consumer Long Distance Business: Domestic and Global. Early 2000, the high tech transition continued with a move to Silicon Valley. Byron was the EVP/GM and Chief Marketing Officer with Excite @ Home (NASDAQ: ATHM). At the time, ATHM was the largest consumer broadband company in the world. This Silicon Valley experience marked Smith’s initiation into managing: media companies, internet technology / infrastructure and the world of venture capital.

Mr. Smith moved home to Tennessee in 2002 with Asurion as EVP / CMO (a small pre-public company working with the wireless industry where he had been on the Board of Advisors). He led Asurion’s selection of and move to Tennessee for its headquarters.

Mr. Smith is a principal and co-founder of Limestone Fund, LLC. Recently he has also taught entrepreneurship as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management and been an active angel and venture capital investor. Mr. Smith is actively involved in his community and currently sits on the board at the MTSU Honors College Board of Visitors, Nashville Chess Center, St. Paul Christian Academy, and The Trinity Forum.