
Entrepreneur and Founder of The Smith Foundation
Harry Smith is a Restaurant Owner/Operator of 17 restaurants in the Central Division/Indianapolis Region. Harry is an OPNAD “National Marketing” Representative on behalf of the National NBMOA, OPNAD By-Law/Process Team Member, past National Value Council Representative, past Central Division Place Team Lead, past DLC Member, past NLC Place Team (member of LTRS sub-team), Chaired a Team that developed a “White Paper” that lead to better opportunities for Operators, past NIO Co-Op President, past NIO Co-Op Ad Committee Chair, past Indianapolis Region RLC Chair, past Indianapolis Region Profit Team Lead, past 2-term OPNAD Representative for the Indianapolis Region, past Houston Co-Op President and past BMOA President Houston Chapter and several other positions during his Restaurant career.
Harry Smith began his career in the restaurant business on November 1, 1971 at the age of 16 as a crew member in Dallas, Texas. In 1973, Harry moved to Houston, Texas to attend Texas Southern University where he continued his career. He went through the ranks as a Swing Manager, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Restaurant Manager, Supervisor and Director of Operations. He became a Restaurant Manager at the age of 19, and was recognized 6 straight years as Outstanding Restaurant Manager by the Houston Region and managed the first Million Dollar Restaurant, of this Brand, in Houston.In 1991, he became a Restaurant Owner/Operator in the Houston Region; until he sold his 7 restaurants to move to Elkhart, Indiana purchasing 5 restaurants on September 14, 2001.
Harry has been recognized with many awards throughout his restaurant career, including Rookie Owner/Operator of the Year, the Houston Business Journal/Entrepreneur of the Year, the Indianapolis Streetfighter Award (2004, 2005, 2007-2009), Sales Milestone Award (2004, 2006, 2008-2013), Outstanding Operation Award (2005, 2009-2013), NBMOA Warrior Award, Indianapolis Region 2009 & 2012 People Award and Ronald Award Winner 2013… These awards are just to name a few. In addition, he is a lifetime member of NAACP.
Harry Smith started custom home building in Houston, in 1994; later becoming Hearthstone Homes in 1998. Smith builds homes ranging from $300,000 to over $3 million. Harry has achieved great success in the real estate business. He is the Founder of the Smith Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2016 to reach, uplift, support, enhance the lives, and empower all people to reach their full potential. Smith’s Foundation has awarded $108,000 in scholarships to 27 deserving students, provided school supplies for elementary schools, music equipment for music programs for underprivileged communities, provided Christmas toys for children in underprivileged communities, food for those in need, funding for little league teams, financed a recreational center (including sports, tutoring, meals, fitness and more) for a city that was vastly populated with low income families, to name a few.
Harry Smith has been recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives with a “Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award” from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. He was also recognized by The State of Texas House of Representatives with a “Community Service Award” from State Representative Ron Reynolds. He received the “Houston Humanitarian Award.” Harry has only 1 hobby, and anyone who knows Harry knows that it is the Dallas Cowboys!