Roger V. Smith

Roger Smith founded the Silicon Valley Bank in 1983 and was CEO from 1983-1992. The bank is credited with greatly increasing the financing opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures in the 1980s, as well as helping to stimulate the remarkable explosion of successful new companies in Silicon Valley. The Computer History Museum in Mountain View features the story of the partnership Roger formed with Bob Medearis and Bill Biggerstaff on this venture.

Smith subsequently founded Smith Venture Group, based in Palo Alto. Roger is involved in many corporate and community organizations, including a nonprofit he founded, called Mothers Against Murder, where he most recently mentored Menlo College alumna Jennifer Wences-Maciel ‘21.

Smith is particularly passionate about promoting higher education and career opportunities for members of the Latino community. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado and moved to the Bay Area to pursue his MBA at the University of Santa Clara.