Rick Smith is a distinguished Information Technology leader with over 30 years of experience leveraging evolving technologies to deliver measurable business impact. Renowned for his problem-solving abilities and communication skills, Rick excels in enhancing customer satisfaction and optimizing operations. His expertise lies in bridging the gap between technology and business to drive strategic, results-oriented solutions.
Rick started his career in the financial services industry in the late 1980s, holding manager-level positions at several banks. During this time, he was also deeply involved in supporting and modernizing the technologies used at these institutions. In the mid-90s, the rise in bank mergers along with the rapid growth of the IT field led Rick to pivot from finance to technology, and he joined the American Bankers Association as a Help Desk Analyst in 1996.
Over the course of his 29-year tenure, Rick has held various senior positions at the American Bankers Association in Washington, DC, including Senior Director of IT Client Engagement and Senior Director of Network Services. Leading teams across the technology spectrum at ABA and engaging staff at all levels has afforded him a deep understanding of trade association operations and how to secure and successfully leverage technology systems to achieve greater efficiency and strategic goals.
Currently, Rick serves as Vice President of IT Strategy and Program Management. In this role, he leads IT strategy and governance and fosters engagement with ABA’s business teams. He advises the CIO on setting and achieving goals across the IT enterprise, manages IT portfolios, and ensures alignment with corporate needs and strategic goals.
Rick earned his MPS in Technology Management from Georgetown University in 2024. Upon graduation, he joined the faculty as an Adjunct Professor in the Master’s in IT Management Program at Georgetown, where he teaches Requirements Analysis and System Design.