Mr. Erik Smith is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Saab, Inc. From its business divisions in five states, Saab delivers advanced sensors, training and simulation, aerospace technology, signature management solutions and services, and air traffic management safety and efficiency solutions to the United States armed forces and other government agencies. Saab’s offerings span the entire Saab product portfolio, including command and control systems, radars and sensors, tactical weapons, missile systems, training and simulation, signature management and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. In the commercial segment, Saab provides aerostructures manufacturing, avionics systems, air traffic management, and support and services for the regional airline market.
Mr. Smith has approximately 20 years of Aerospace and Defense industry experience across a broad cross-section of the marketplace. He has developed and executed major U.S. and International business arrangements with a broad range of Industry and Government customers serving the Intelligence, Surveillance, C4I, and State, Local, and Commercial Healthcare Technologies markets. Since joining Saab in 2007, Mr. Smith has held multiple positions of increasing responsibility within the company’s Marketing and Sales, Contract, and Program Management organizations. He led the legacy (Sensis Corp.) defense business through its 2011 acquisition by Saab and has consistently demonstrated a strong track record of business growth, successful negotiations, and profitable program execution. Prior to joining Saab, Mr. Smith held key Program Management and Contract Management positions at Raytheon Company and was chosen to participate in Raytheon’s premier Contracts Leadership Development Program. He holds a BA in Political Science from Roger Williams University and an MBA from Syracuse University’s Walter J. Whitman School of Management.
Mr. Smith is an Eagle Boy Scout and remains active in his local community through the Boy Scouts of America. He holds a seat on several boards throughout the local community, including the Salvation Army of Greater Syracuse, the Manlius Pebble Hill School Board of Trustees, the Center State CEO Board of Directors, and the Clear Path for Veterans Board of Directors. Mr. Smith is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Mr. Smith is married to the former Leslie Howard from Newport, Rhode Island. They have two children – a son, Tyler, and a daughter, Georgia.