Smith: Aiding Pittsburgh technology

Don Smith Jr. has been credited with helping Pittsburgh to reinvent itself and attract technology companies through programs involving the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, according to published reports.

One technology company chief executive officer was quoted as calling Smith one of his "Pittsburgh heroes" for his work growing the region's technology sector.

According to a university-related Web site, Smith has a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University and a doctorate in public policy from Carnegie Mellon's H. John Heinz School of Public Policy and Management.

He helped develop and oversee two technology clusters that are dubbed "greenhouses." Essentially, they attracted research faculty who in turn attracted outside companies to invest in research projects, creating more local jobs.

In interviews posted online, Smith said he helps the two universities work as a unified force to draw research dollars and private start-up companies. Opportunities arise by breaking down barriers between academia and commerce, he said.

A native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Smith began his economic development career in 1985 as an intern with the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, according to university publications.

He was a strategic projects coordinator at the state Department of Commerce from 1986 to 1988 and was the lead analyst for the state's economic development strategy, Investing in Pennsylvania's Future.

He also worked at Rand Corp.'s Critical Technology Institute in Washington, D.C., before returning to Pittsburgh in June 1995 to direct Carnegie Mellon's Center for Economic Development and teach economic development.