CHRIS SMITH NAMED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE REGIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 29, 2022

ASHEVILLE (NC)- CHRIS SMITH NAMED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE REGIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION

Asheville (NC)- The Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission has named Chris Smith as the Interim Executive Director effective July 1 through March 2023. Smith has an extensive history with the Sports Commission and served on the original task force in 2008 that led to the establishment of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. In 2014, Smith was selected to serve on the Board of Directors and served as Vice Chairman (2017) and Chairman from 2018 until December 2021. As Chairman, Smith was a member of the Local Organizing Committees for each of the three Billie Jean King Cup Ties and the Asheville Championship and was asked to serve an extended term during the pandemic.

“As a board member and the Chairman for the past four years, Chris has worked extensively with the leadership team on the recruitment of events and the day-to-day operation of the Sports Commission,” said Board Chairman Stephen Zubrod. “Chris’ familiarity with the operations of the organization but also his tremendous relationships in our community made him a natural to lead the sports commission during this transition. As we talked with our event partners with the Southern Conference and Asheville Championship, it was clear that organizational knowledge and stability were paramount to the success of these upcoming events and others like the Skyview Golf Tournament. As we began this process, the name that continued to rise to the top in our community was Chris Smith.”

 Chris Smith added, “I am passionate about the success of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission and very honored to be serving in this position. I look forward to working with our partners from Explore Asheville to continue building a resume of sports events that fit our community and brand. The support of Explore Asheville, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County and UNC Asheville has allowed the sports commission to grow and succeed over the past 14 years and I look forward to working with each of them to continue to mold the future of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission.”

 A native of Hendersonville, Smith played baseball and graduated from Hendersonville High and UNC Asheville. Smith worked for 24 seasons with the Asheville Tourists as the Assistant General Manager for 17 seasons and the Senior Sales Manager for 7 years. Prior to working for the Tourists full-time, he served as the official scorer while also working as a beat writer for the Asheville Citizen-Times. Before joining the Tourists, Smith was a Baseball Coach and Sports Information Director at Mars Hill College.

 Smith is very involved in the community and currently sits on the Buncombe County Schools Foundation Board of Directors and serves on its Classroom Grants, Scholarship and Strategic Planning Committees. Chris served on Junior Achievement of Western North Carolina's Board for 13 years, where he was twice elected as the Board Chair and was named Western North Carolina's Top Business Liaison. Additionally, Smith served on the boards of The Asheville Children’s Fund, Make-A-Wish Foundation Advisory Council, Junior League Advisory Board, and Project ASSIST Tobacco Prevention Coalition. Smith frequently serves as a guest host and is known for his “hot tips” on the Wise Guys sports radio show.

 For his efforts in the local school systems and helping various charities throughout Western North Carolina, Smith was featured as a WLOS-TV Person of the Week. In his first season with the team, Chris filled the role of Media Relations Director, and following the 2000 season, he received the South Atlantic League's inaugural Media Relations Director of the Year award.

Chris resides in Fletcher with his wife Mandy. He has four children, Pali (21), Zach (19) and Presley (7) and a step-daughter Taylor (15).

Contact Information-

Stephen Zubrod, Chairman of the Board- 402-630-1616; stephenzubrod@gmail.com
Chris Smith, Interim Executive Director- 828-280-6458; chris@ashevillesports.org