// Smith Dawson & Andrews

Jim P. Smith is the President of Smith Dawson & Andrews and serves as the firm’s chief strategist. He oversees a diverse range of clients, with particular emphasis on business development, health care, technology, trade and transportation. Before co-founding SDA in 1981, Jim served in government and public affairs positions at the White House and in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Commerce and with the State of Illinois.

Involved in many key legislative battles on Capitol Hill, Jim has been active in every major transportation debate in Congress over the last 35 years. His knowledge of federal agency and congressional policy and practice, along with his long-term, bipartisan relationships with key decision makers, make Jim an effective advocate for client interests.

A native of Illinois, Jim is a Director and Officer of Home Star Financial Group and Home Star Bank, an independent privately held community bank serving Kankakee and Will Counties and a partner in Smith Development Corporation, which among other things, redeveloped the former State of Illinois Manteno Mental Health Center into the multi-business commercial center, Illinois Diversatech Campus.

Jim is a graduate of Colorado State University.