Cameron Smith, the founder and CEO who established his company Cameron Smith & Associates as a top provider of executive talent nationwide, died July 18 at Mercy Hospital in Rogers from complications with his battle against throat cancer.
Smith was 71.
“The CSA family is deeply saddened by Cameron’s passing, and we extend heartfelt condolences to his wife, Monica, their four children and 10 grandchildren,” said Scott Crossett, incoming president and CEO of CSA in a press release. “The ripple effect of his passing will be felt profoundly. He is known as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, change-maker and dedicated community leader, but to us, he was such a great friend. He especially had a heart for people and their success. Our team is committed to keeping Cameron’s legacy alive through our work and continued community involvement.”
Smith moved to Arkansas from California in 1994 to start his company with a “yellow pad, phone and a vision,” the press release said. He won Executive of the Year at the 2015 Arkansas Business of the Year Awards.
In 2017, Forbes named CSA one of America’s Best Executive Search Firms.
The firm, which fills positions for consumer products companies, launched an international division and expanded to recruiting in the commercial construction industry in 2018.
“My theory in business has always been never stop growing,” Smith said at the time.
Smith was the recipient of multiple business awards including Arkansas Business: Arkansas 250, Arkansas’ Most Influential Leaders (2019), Northwest Arkansas Business Journal: C-Suite Award (2019); Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce: Trailblazer Award (2015) and Arkansas Business: Business Executive of the Year (2014).
He was also a co-founder of the Doing Business in Bentonville speaker series and a software company, Shiloh Technologies.
Smith was dedicated to his work, but also to his community. He served three terms on the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Northwest Arkansas Council Executive Board. He also served as a speaker and mentor at the University of Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Community College and John Brown University.
In his free time, Smith spearheaded the conversion of girls’ softball from slow-pitch to fast-pitch softball in Arkansas and put on an annual fireworks show celebrating Fourth of July.
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