Craig Smith

Craig hails from Downey, CA & is a proud member of the USNA Class of 1982. He was 21st Company Commander & also lettered in Varsity Football, playing in 3 Army-Navy Games, and starting in both the Garden State Bowl and Liberty Bowl as an Offensive Lineman. Moving to San Diego, CA, following graduation, he reported to his first ship USS ROBISON (DDG 12) where he made one WESTPAC deployment and one Persian Gulf deployment, serving as Communications Officer/First Lieutenant/Navigator and qualifying as a Surface Warfare Officer. After his initial sea tour, he was selected to be a part of the Commissioning Crew of USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52), serving as Ordnance Officer and responsible for the first AEGIS Vertical Launching System (VLS) on a Navy Combatant. He finished his Active Duty Navy Career as a Combat Systems/Ship handling/Ship Simulator Instructor at Surface Warfare Officers School Pacific. He served for several more years as a Navy Reservist, retiring in 2012 as a Navy Captain.

In his civilian career, Craig served in many nonprofit leadership roles and currently is the Senior Associate Director of the Southern California Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), working with all the assigned Navy and Coast Guard commands. As a volunteer leader, he served as President, Vice President of Membership, and Director with the USNAAA San Diego Chapter and is currently Immediate Past President. Under his leadership, the Chapter became the largest Chapter in the world and was recognized with three Distinguished Chapter Awards. He also served as a USNA Blue and Gold Officer (BGO). He currently is a member of the Council on Annual Giving (CAG), Navy Football Brotherhood (NFB), and President’s Circle (PC).

He is married to the former Kerry Knutson of National City, CA, and they have three grown children.