By: Marianne Hudson, ACA Executive Director

New ACA Chair Linda Smith meets with Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-NV) on June 28, 2017

I am pleased to welcome Linda Smith as she begins to serve as Chair of ACA’s 18-member Board of Directors on July 1.  Linda has served as ACA Vice Chair for two years, during which she has been instrumental in updating ACA’s strategy growth, shaping the policies that impact startup communities and angel investors, and meeting with Congressional representatives regarding important policy issues for angels.

In addition to being an active angel investor with a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, Linda has served three U.S. presidents and other government leaders, including working as Director of Administration in the White House's Office of Management and Budget and for two Congressional committees on Capitol Hill. As senior policy advisor to the Governor of Hawaii, Linda was actively involved in tax policies that encourage angel investing.

“It is a privilege to serve an organization whose members mentor cutting-edge, innovative companies that have the potential to profoundly improve lives and shape our future.  Angels are smart, generous, and optimistic. I look forward to working with many more of them during my two-year tenure as chair of ACA,” said Linda Smith, in a recent release.

Linda was Vice Chair of the ACA Board of Directors for the last two years, a role that will now be fulfilled by Tony Shipley of Queen City Angels.

I especially want to thank outgoing Chair Christopher Mirabile, who ably led ACA through growth, new services such as our popular Webinar series, and critical thinking regarding member and association needs.  Christopher will now lead ACA’s public policy leadership team (so we’re not done with him yet!).

Again, thank you Linda, Tony, Christopher, and all who contribute their leadership and talents to achieve the important work that helps to foster successful investors and bolster startups.