MAJOR GENERAL MARK SMITH, CAP

Major General Mark Smith served as CAP’s National Commander and Chief Executive Officer from 2017 to 2021.  He was honored by having a national award for innovation named after him, and he was inducted into CAP’s Hall of Honor in August 2025.

General Smith is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and served in the Air Force for 26 years, retiring as a Colonel.  He flew fighters, is a veteran of Desert Storm, and led a joint test force for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.  After the Air Force, General Smith served at senior levels in the corporate world.  He now works in a nonprofit corporation that he and his wife founded to help the communities and people of Lake County, Oregon.

General Smith has a Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership and teaches leadership at the doctorate level.  He serves on the Board of Trustees for the CAP Foundation and is a course director for Level 5 Virtual-in-Residence training. 

Full Biography: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Mark_Smith_biography__Oct_18_419F3311F91BA.pdf