Ed Smith is an avid golfer with a long list of professional and industry achievements. This metrics-driven business development executive with over 30 years of strategic partner engagement and management experience across the hardware, software, and services industries is passionate about progress.
Born in Brooklyn, NY Ed was among the first African Americans to work in the design of video games, and the first African American to work on the design of the first hybrid video game/personal computer – The Imagination Machine.
The tech industry is a sector that still needs to have more Blacks involved, and Ed was a pioneer who has gained wide industry knowledge, analytical, strategic partner planning and engagement skills which have been the key factors for the massive success he has received. In his leisure time, this tech guru also knows how to shoot a good round on the course, when time permits.
Ed grew up in the rough neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn (NY) and was first exposed to golf when he was older, in the early 80s by a retail partner while living in New York. Today the 16-handicapper resides in the Sunshine State of Florida, surrounded by a haven of beautifully challenging courses. 67 years young, Ed is involved with several golf groups including active memberships with the Black Golfers in West Palm Beach, the National Brotherhood Tour and the Pro Duffers.
At his home course, Stonegate Golf Club in Poinciana, Fla., Ed is a familiar face. “Bill Bishop, who passed away on February 20, 2018, was my mentor,” says Ed, a vintage video game and personal computer designer who owns Imagine That. He started the company in 2019 and the website focused on technology, consulting and public speaking. The site also hosts photos, audio podcasts, a blog, and video interviews featuring Ed and many other prominent historians in technology. His LinkedIn profile boasts a swath of information on him including his book, IMAGINE THAT!: The Story of One of the first African Americans to work in the design of video games and personal computers.
Long before STEM was being introduced in school programs, Ed has been surrounded by technology all of his life. As a young teen, he began repairing appliances while attending a technology high school (Westinghouse), where he learned the basics of what would influence his lifelong trade.
Married, 46-years, to his lovely wife Sheila, the couple enjoyed many years of golf together, until a shoulder surgery forced her to step away from the game and become an avid spectator. Their two daughters are following in Ed’s footsteps. “The oldest is an Assistant Vice President in IT Infrastructure at Wells Fargo and the youngest is a Child and Family Service Counselor,” said the proud dad.
Ed is most pleased with the fact that he overcame many personal challenges in his life, from becoming a father at 18 years of age to successfully being committed to supporting his family and watching them flourish. Professionally, Ed says one of his greatest achievements was completing the build of the prototype MP1000 video game in just 2 weeks. But it wasn’t easy. He worked 12-hours days to get it done, while “apologizing a lot to my wife Sheila,” he admits.
When asked what he envisions for the future of video game technology, Ed confidently states, “I have seen the introduction of the video game and every iteration since. There is no question that AI/VR (artificial intelligence/virtual reality) will continue to evolve with real-life gaming.”
