Todd M. Smith Releases “Saving Local Leadership” book Celebrating the Local Leaders of Hurricane Helene

(Johnson City, Tenn.) – Longtime public servant and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Todd Smith, announces his debut book, "Saving Local Leadership" that heralds the impact local leaders and everyday people can have in their communities in the face of a crisis or a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene.

"Local leaders had to rise above political and social barriers and come together for an immediate response," says Smith, the former Greeneville, TN city manager who chronicles everyday heroes who took charge without waiting for outside relief. "The book shares the stories of citizens who mobilized resources and support for their community through grassroots initiatives."

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Smith describes eight virtues of local leadership that transform communities in both crises and day to day challenges. He dedicates the book to Greene County native Boone McCrary, a local healthcare hero who launched his boat to help others in the storm and lost his life doing so. Smith said McCrary truly lived by local leadership principles.

Who Should Read This Book:

Anyone interested in leadership principles

Government and municipal leaders, emergency workers, other community leaders

Readers interested in inspiring stories documenting local history

The book is currently available on Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/Saving-Local-Leadership, https://barnesandnoble.com, and https://walmart.com. Smith will be hosting a book signing and launch event at Catalyst Coffee Company in downtown Greeneville on Tuesday, September 29, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Address: 103 North Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743. The public is welcome to attend. Smith's website is toddsmithleadership.com.

For interview requests, please contact Todd Smith at (mobile) 423-341-2645.

About Todd M. Smith:

Smith was Greeneville, Tenn.'s first city manager. Smith worked with a 220 member staff to execute the daily activities of Greeneville.

Throughout Smith's public service, he has served on the boards of many local, regional, and state-wide organizations to include the Tennessee Municipal League, Tennessee Public Entity Partners, Frontier Health, Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation, the Greene County Partnership, the Tennessee City Managers Association Board of Directors, and the Greene County YMCA

Prior to coming to Greeneville, Smith worked for the City of Johnson City overseeing economic development activities.

Smith retired from the U.S. Air Force after a 22-year career that included both active duty and Air National Guard assignments.Duties included 255 missions as a combat crew member for America's nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile force, Deputy Battle Watch Commander for United States Strategic Command coordinating command and control of U.S. nuclear forces and directing a combat operations division for Air Force Cyber Command. Smith retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in May of 2023.

Smith is a graduate of Milligan University with a degree in History as well as a graduate from East Tennessee State University with a master's degree in public administration.

Smith is an avid reader of history books and enjoys exploring historical battlefields.Todd has visited battlefields on three continents covering wars from the medieval times up to the Korean War.Todd also likes exploring America's national parks and any other adventure that gets him outdoors.

He has been married for 28 years to Rhajon (Colson) Smith who is the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Milligan University.They have a 13-year-old daughter, Alethea, who is an eighth grader at Providence Academy. He is an active member of First Christian Church in Greeneville and volunteers time in local prison ministries and men's small group ministries.

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