TAMYTHA_CAMERON
Candidate Name: Ronell Smith
Occupation: Entrepreneur, brand strategist for enterprise companies
How long have you lived in Southlake? What originally brought you to town?
"We moved to Southlake in 2014, after living in Colleyville for two years and in Windermere, Fla., for seven years previous. We moved here because Southlake fit: It’s a place that perfectly aligned with my conservative values, including a focus on community, prioritizing education, respecting personal property rights, eschewing big government, valuing low-density residential development and placing a premium on the success of families and businesses."
What inspired you to run for this position?
"I became integrally involved in the community immediately upon moving here.
The community deserves strong, independent, disciplined leaders with the experience and the fortitude to help steward it into the future as a mature community.
We’re roughly 90% built out. That means the margin for error is smaller for residential and commercial development. There will need to be some tough choices made with regard to how the remaining land is developed.
These decisions are too important to trust to anyone who has not previously made local government decisions that can, will and do impact the lives of their fellow residents at the highest levels. I have. As the vice chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, every decision we made had a very real, very significant impact, specifically to the families coming before us. I’ve looked dozens of family members, who came before ZBA, in the eyes, and in each instance, my lens was doing what’s best for the city of Southlake.
My background with ZBA, a quasi-judicial body with immense authority, places me in great stead to balance property rights and the desires of residents, using Southlake’s 2035 plan as my guide rule, though every project must be judged on its own merits. I will keep “What’s best for Southlake?” top of mind in every situation."
What in your background prepared you for this responsibility?
"I’ve been a business owner for more than a decade, working with $100M-plus brands to broaden their online footprint, acquire customers and build a competitive moat around their product or service.
Additionally, I’ve been active behind the scenes, volunteering for the school board, economic development and tourism, and the ZBA.
A brief rundown of my involvement in the city of Southlake includes…
Served on the ZBA since 2015, most recently as vice chair;
Completed the Southlake Department of Public Service’s Citizen’s Academy program;
Finished Carroll ISD’s CLASS program;
Volunteer as a Business Buddy for the Community Enhancement Development Corp.;
Serve as a citizen on patrol (COP) for Southlake DPS; and
Recently appointed to the CISD District Diversity Committee"
What do you hope to bring to this role?
"I bring independence, business acumen and involvement in the local community at all levels — schools, businesses and city government.
My philosophy is to go where you can impact the community most, not where I can gain the most attention. I enjoy doing the boring but necessary work.
A vote for me is a vote for a proven leader who has always stood up for the people in this community. When our schools were under attack, I dove in to be an advocate for the great people supporting our kids each day, saying we can do better because we ARE better. When the city caught flak for videos of kids chanting profane language, I pounded the table, saying, “You don’t know Southlake.” And while many harangue Southlake for losing businesses, I’m spending 15% of my work hours each week helping businesses with retention and growth.
What you get is a leader who brings a full suite of business, family, community and civic skills."
What makes you different from other candidates?
"Experience and impact. In my business, we judge performance, not longevity.
Working with some of the world’s most successful startups has taught me to value doing what has the greatest impact for the largest number of people. That’s what I do in my personal and civic life as well.
There’s only candidate in the big for Southlake City Council Position 4 who has balanced being a devout family man while helping the world’s most successful companies, serving his local government, fighting for the reputation of our city, going to bat for our schools, supporting our police department, helping our local businesses daily and being a willing, vocal advocate for ALL families in this great community.
I prioritize experience and impact, especially in a city that demands nothing less than the best.
I am the most qualified candidate."
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected into your desired position?
"I continue to hear that my experience sets me apart from my opponent. That says I have earned the trust of the people to do what’s right by the community.
I will continue to do what I’ve already been doing, only on a more grand scale:
Being integrally involved in making sure our schools are safe; providing ongoing support and training for existing businesses while selling prospects on what makes Southlake unique; making sure all families feel safe, welcomed and invited to participate; and sharing our community policing model with police departments in nearby rural counties."
What else do you want people to know about you?
"In addition to being a business owner who has prioritized being active at all levels of the community, I’m also a husband and father. My wife, Rachel, is an executive for a Fortune 10. My two daughters are proud Carroll Dragons.
We ARE Southlake.
My family symbolizes what it means to be Carroll Dragons. We value faith, family and education, in addition to community, integrity, selflessness and generosity.
I'm hopeful of earning votes to win this race, in large part because the Smith family embodies what Southlake is all about."