Members' 25-Year Reminiscences

Howard A. Smith, AICP

Oldsmar, Florida

Howard Smith is a Certified Planner and a Fellow of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). He joined ASPO in 1974 while a graduate student at the University of California, Los Angeles. He took the AICP exam late in 1979 and was inducted into AICP early in 1980. Mr. Smith's been a practicing transportation planner since the mid-1970s — until 1982 in the public sector, since then in consulting practice.

His most memorable positions have been overseas, living in various Third World environments while working on international transportation, traffic, and related planning projects. Mr. Smith has lived and worked in seven countries outside the United States, including (in chronological order): Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Accra, Ghana, West Africa; Cairo, Egypt; Jakarta, Indonesia; Manila, the Philippines; Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

As one might expect from living and working in developing countries, though typically well compensated, Howard Smith had to endure many frustrations — from unreliable electricity and water, to tropical illnesses, to unbelievable traffic congestion and undisciplined motorist behavior, to bureaucratic inertia in foreign government ministries and bureaus. But whenever he could, Howard sought out warm tropical waters so he could swim with the fishes!

Living domestically and working with various consulting firms in Florida (South Florida and Tampa Bay areas) since 1995, life's been quite a bit tamer — but rewarding nonetheless!

Image: Howard Smith doing what he likes best — snorkeling the Indian Ocean! (Photo taken by one of his fish friends in 2001.)