I was raised on a dairy farm and ranch in Gainesville, Texas. I graduated from OSU Tech in September 1973 and received an associate degree in machine shop with a 3.80 grade average and studied auto upholstery. In 2017, I was inducted into the OSU Hall of Fame. After graduating, I worked for Seismograph in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the machining division.

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In January 1974, I started Bob’s Auto Trim in Gainesville, Texas where I did upholstery work. In 1983, I changed the name to Bob Smith’s Coachworks, Inc. where I expanded to all areas of auto restoration. In 1991, I started Texas Metal Finishers which is a plating operation.

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I have served on 17 boards including: Advisory Committee of OSU, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, Gainesville Economic Development Committee, Deacon with First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, Chairperson for 2001 FCA Annual Meet in Dallas, Chairperson for Gainesville Depot Days, Gainesville Medal of Honor, Italian Car Day at South Fork Ranch, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Keels and Wheels advisory board, Preservation Ferrari Council, Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and the Great American Race 1996 as chairperson to bring the race to Gainesville for lunch.  I served on the board when Texas EPA was rewriting the EPA rules for Texas, the Woodbine Water Corporation board, Morton Museum of Gainesville, and Cooke County Conservatives.

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Coachworks has had multiple Best of Shows:  Ferrari Factory Concours 2007, Cavallino Classic, Bagatelle - France, Ferrari Club of America National Meet, Mercedes Club of America, Jaquar Club of America National Meet, Dallas Symphony Concours and 300SL Club Annual Meet.

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I was a master judge at Pebble Beach Concourse, Cavallino, FCA, and Keels & Wheels.

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My excellent workmanship and attention to detail has given Bob Smith Coachwork’s a name known worldwide with an international reputation and is considered the top Ferrari restorer in the world.  This carries over to the boards I have served.

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I feel like I would be a good candidate to serve on the ICVFD because of my experience in serving on multiple boards holding different chair positions. I have experience working with budgets, regulations and organizing events.