September Spotlights
“The Man Behind The Scene”
Willie D. Smith Jr.
Community Public Relations Consultant
The NWBO would like to spotlight Mr. Willie D. Smith Jr. for the month of September, 2026. The NWBO calls him “The Man Behind the Scene” helping to make things happen.
Mr. Smith has been married to Victoria Smith, the visionary for the NWBO for the last 27 years. They have a blended family of 8 children and 15 grandchildren to date. Mr. Willie Smith is a native of Wiggins, MS and a graduate of Stone High School. At an early age, Mr. Smith joined the United States Army at the age of 23 and served his country for 3 years and served active duty during Desert Storm. After serving, he re-enlisted in 2004, where he served another 4 years and deployed to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Smith’s combined service time totaled 7 years. During his 7-year enlistment in the military, Mr. Smith promoted to Sargent and received numerous leadership recognitions such as “Soldier of the Quarter Plaque from his unit; and then received recognition from the Chamber of Commerce for that same outstanding Soldier of the Quarter Award; Meritorious Service Medals; and he also was selected and placed as “Team Leader” in charge of foreign soldiers, who were in the U.S. to cross-train”.
In addition, Mr. Smith served 30 years with Public Works Utilities in the cities of Gulfport and St. Martin receiving recognitions from the mayors, public works directors, and customers of Gulfport and St. Martin for outstanding leadership and service for going above and beyond the call of duty numerous times. Later, he retired at age 54 and opened his own landscaping business providing affordable services to the elderly. He later awarded his business to a young entrepreneur desiring to own a business and has continuously coached him and promoted his success for last 3 years. Currently, Mr. Smith continues to volunteer his time and service to assist the elderly in areas of transportation, maintenance, and companionship. Throughout his years of community service, he served on the Mercy Housing Board for two years as a volunteer to help first time home buyers to purchase single family homes. Also, to speak to his character of service, Mr. Smith attended “ALL” board meetings as an assistant to the Public Works Director in St. Martin. To add to a life-long career of service, Mr. Smith was selected as the guest speaker for the Veterans Day Program at MGCCC and will also obtain his Associate Degree in Electrical Technology in November 2026 from MGCCC Community College as well. In addition, Mr. Smith has built lasting relationships with contractors, vendors, engineers, politicians, and local business owners to say the least.
Presently, he serves as Community Public Relations Consultant as an advisor to the Board for SPOSA Services Inc. helping the Board of Directors strategize goals for continued success. Furthermore, for the last 27 years he has served in role as Overseer of Hosanna Ministries of Gulfport, leading people to salvation. The NWBO is truly blessed and thankful to have such an awesome, humble, servant-leader for these last 12 years. Mr. Smith has completed behind the scene tasks such as transport, set-up, photos, interviews, videos, food pickups, equipment breakdowns, and financial sponsorships and contributions which has enabled NWBO to empower, train, and educate women business owners across a conglomerate of businesses locally and globally. Please help us spotlight and give recognition to Mr. Willie Smith Jr., my husband and our “NWBO Man Behind the Scene” a true unsung hero.