My guest on this episode of The Eddy Network Podcast is Virgil Smith.
I was introduced to Virgil by a mutual friend Dick Wallace in 1996. Virgil, at that time, was the President and Publisher of the Asheville Citizen-Times. It was clear that we shared many of the same values and perspectives, even though our lives had followed very different paths. At that point, he invited me to join him in the leadership of a community education initiative.
Over the years of knowing Virgil, I watched a model of a manager who functioned as a leader of impact. During that time, he invited me to speak to his top managers twice, and had me write, first as a community columnist, and then for four and a half years as a business leadership columnist. In many respects, I owe much of my own career development to Virgil.
I’m honored to have Virgil on the podcast. His continued work in developing talent is testimony to the impact that he has had through many people over the years.
Virgil L. Smith, DHL, MS, CEC, Author
Principal at SMITH EDWARDS GROUP LLC
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/virgilsmith
Website - authorvirgillsmith.com
Virgil L. Smith is a certified professional life and career coach and former Corporate Media Executive. Virgil has a distinguished record as a trusted advisor for coaching and mentoring executives, managers and multi-level employees with life and career goals. He is a highly motivated and experienced executive with high proficiency in strategic, operational and community leadership, diversity management and leadership development. Virgil holds a Honorary Doctorate Degree from UNC Asheville and Masters and Bachelors Degrees from the University of San Francisco. He received his professional coaching certification from Life Coach Institute of Orange County and is certified to administer and facilitate “360 Assessments” from the Center of Creative Leadership in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is a great listener and has a strong passion for helping people fulfill their goals and dreams. His motto is, “Always Forward.”