Aaron G. Smith, CAE

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Aaron Gregory Smith began his hospitality career at age 17, working the graveyard shift at a local coffee shop. What started as an early introduction to service and operations evolved into a career centered on leadership development, organizational growth, and community building.

In 2009, Smith was elected Vice President of the San Francisco Chapter of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG). During his tenure, the chapter experienced significant growth and increased member engagement, leading to his election as National Vice President in 2010. He later stepped into the role of Treasurer, helping guide structural and governance improvements during a period of rapid organizational expansion.

In 2013, Smith was appointed Interim Executive Director of the USBG and was subsequently selected as the organization’s Executive Director following a national search. Under his leadership, the organization expanded from a staff of two employees to a national team of fifteen and experienced sustained double-digit membership growth, ultimately serving more than 6,000 members across 50 communities nationwide.

A Certified Association Executive (CAE), Smith joined McDonald Association Management in June 2025, where he works with a diverse portfolio of association clients across healthcare, benefits, and professional membership sectors. His work focuses on governance, strategic planning, conferences and events, membership engagement, sponsorship development, and operational leadership. Drawing from both hospitality and nonprofit management experience, Smith is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations build strong cultures, effective volunteer partnerships, and sustainable systems for long-term growth.