CLEVELAND, OH, August 05, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Preston Smith Sr. has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Smith has distinguished himself as a transformative leader in the hospitality industry, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Union Club of Cleveland. With a career spanning three decades, he is recognized for his expertise in service delivery, personnel training and professional coaching. His tenure at the Union Club, which totals 24 years, is marked by a steady ascent from entry-level roles to executive leadership, culminating in his appointment as chief executive officer in 2023.

In his current capacity, Mr. Smith oversees all facets of club operations within the historic 95,000-square-foot clubhouse. His daily responsibilities include conducting thorough facility inspections, engaging directly with staff and members upon arrival. Mr. Smith prepares agendas and presents operational reports to a 12-member board of trustees, collaborates with the club architect on club projects and formulates financial strategies with the club controller. On Wednesdays, he leads Banquet Event Order meetings to review logistics for upcoming events, including weddings and special events. Fridays are reserved for senior staff meetings focused on project progress, financial standing, department SOP's and payroll.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Smith served as general manager and chief operating officer at Shaker Heights Country Club from 2018 to 2022. There, he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of club management, including golf, pool, tennis and sports operations—experience that broadened his expertise beyond city club management. From 2016 to 2018, he served as assistant general manager at The Country Club in Pepper Pike, Ohio, where he further honed his leadership skills in a country club setting.

Mr. Smith's career at the Union Club began in 1997, when he was hired as a dishwasher upon his aunt's recommendation. Over the next 19 years, he systematically advanced through nearly every department—including busboy, server, kitchen hotline and maintenance—before becoming director of dining service in 2010. In this role until 2016, he played a pivotal part in modernizing club operations. Around 2000, during the transition to a computerized ordering system, Mr. Smith developed comprehensive training programs and standard operating procedures that enabled senior servers to adapt to new technology—standards that remain in use today.

Throughout his career, Mr. Smith has prioritized mentorship and professional development over personal accolades. He identifies his proudest accomplishments as those achieved through the growth of individuals he has trained and mentored. Notably, he guided two senior servers into advanced management roles at other clubs and supported long-term team members through technological transitions and personal growth milestones.

Mr. Smith's commitment to professional excellence is reflected in his industry affiliations. He has been an active member of the Club Management Association of America since 2013 and previously served on the board of its Cleveland Chapter, where he was responsible for educational initiatives. Additionally, he is affiliated with the Cleveland Leadership Center as a graduate of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2024.

His academic background includes an associate degree in business from the University of Phoenix and a master's certificate in hospitality management from Cornell University. He completed the coursework required for the Certified Club Manager designation through the Club Management Association of America by participating in Business Management Institutes across the United States, which covered general management, chief operating officer responsibilities, food and beverage operations and golf operations.

Mr. Smith attributes his career success to proactive mentorship and executive networking that he cultivated from his earliest days as a server. He sought guidance from accomplished leaders such as Mr. Josey, Mr. Wallace and Mr. McShepherd while also benefiting from formal mentors assigned through CMAA participation. This approach provided him with critical leadership insight and resilience necessary for advancement into executive roles.

Civic engagement is central to Mr. Smith's professional identity. As a member of the Cleveland Leadership Center, he remains committed to community leadership initiatives beyond his club responsibilities. He regularly participates in charity cycling events such as VeloSano Bike to Cure Cancer Ride, Huntington Towpath Century Ride and Bike MS: Pedal to the Point—often motivated by personal connections.

Through the Union Club of Cleveland, Mr. Smith facilitates charitable donations by organizing auction items for external organizations, donating food to University Hospital and hosting holiday events with Santa Claus for underprivileged children and their families.

His achievements have been recognized with several honors, including being named an honoree at the 2025 Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Awards and receiving the Distinguished Clubs of America Leadership Award in 2024. Under his leadership, the Union Club attained Platinum Club of America status from BoardRoom Magazine.

Born in Cleveland, Mr. Smith values family above all else. He shares his life with his wife—his primary source of support—and their three sons: their eldest, who resides with his wife in Portsmouth, Ohio; their middle son, who lives in Cleveland; and their youngest, Parker, who lives at home. The family recently welcomed a granddaughter and a grandson.

Personal interests include cycling—particularly charity rides—fishing with family members and supporting Parker's athletic pursuits in track, basketball and football. Annual family travels include spring trips to Florida and international vacations during the club's summer closure.

Looking ahead, Mr. Smith is focused on modernizing the Union Club of Cleveland while preserving its historical legacy as a private business club founded in 1872. He has implemented strategic plans introducing new amenities such as a billiards room, a grab-and-go station and a wine tasting room with lockers and cellar facilities, while developing a comprehensive master plan for future enhancements, including rooftop amenities, structural additions, and potentially a cigar lounge compliant with Ohio labor laws—all designed to appeal to future generations while honoring tradition.

Mr. Smith's legacy is defined not only by professional milestones but also by his unwavering dedication to mentorship, human connection, community service and family, a testament to his enduring impact on both the hospitality industry and the lives of those he touches daily.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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