CEO CONNECTION
Dr. Reginald F. Smith II, Ph.D.
Welcome to the CEO Connection. This space is designed to provide insight into the vision, priorities, and leadership guiding the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga. Transparency, accountability, and collaboration are central to how we lead and how we serve our community.
As President and CEO, I am committed to strengthening ULGC as a trusted institution that delivers results, builds partnerships, and advances opportunity for individuals and families across our region.
The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is entering a critical chapter focused on strengthening our organizational foundation, expanding impact, and positioning the organization for long-term sustainability. Our work centers on workforce readiness, education, economic mobility, and leadership development all grounded in data, partnerships, and community-driven solutions.
We are focused on moving beyond isolated programs toward scalable systems that connect people to opportunity, employers to talent, and communities to resources. This includes deepening employer partnerships, strengthening financial stability for families, supporting minority-owned businesses, and developing leaders who are prepared to advocate for equity and systems change.
ULGC’s success depends on collaboration. We work alongside public agencies, employers, educators, funders, and community partners who share a commitment to measurable outcomes and lasting impact. Together, we are building pathways that create opportunity today while shaping a more equitable future for Chattanooga.
Leadership Priorities
Strengthening workforce pipelines and employer partnerships
Expanding education and youth leadership pathways
Advancing economic mobility and financial stability
Supporting minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurship
Building organizational capacity and long-term sustainability
Dr. Reginald F. Smith Bio
Reginald Floyd Smith, II, is a passionate community leader, nonprofit executive, and educator with deep roots in both Memphis and Chattanooga, Tennessee. He relocated to Chattanooga in 2004 to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Management and a Master’s in Public Administration (M.P.A.).
While at UTC, Reginald was a highly engaged student leader, serving in multiple roles within the Student Government Association. He also held leadership positions in several student organizations and fulfilled a lifelong dream by becoming a third-generation member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Reginald began his professional career with Hamilton County Schools, where he served as a Family Partnership Specialist. After completing his M.P.A., he transitioned to the district's central office as a School Improvement Project Manager for the District's Innovation Zone Initiative, a $10.5 million federal school improvement grant program focused on transforming five of the county’s most underserved schools.
In 2015, Reginald was named Executive Director of the Bethlehem Center, a 105-year-old organization dedicated to empowering families in South Chattanooga. Under his leadership, the Beth expanded its scope and impact—launching new programs in youth development, case management, resource access, food security, and services for undocumented, unaccompanied children. His tenure has been marked by transformative growth, increased funding, and a strong commitment to holistic community support.
A 2017 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and a 2017 honoree of the Chattanooga Times Free Press “20 Under 40,” Reginald also serves as an Adjunct Professor in UTC’s College of Public Service and Political Science, educating future public and nonprofit administrators in the MPA program.
In December 2024, he earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Johnson University. His research explored the influence of faith leaders on the formation of partisan political identity within congregations, reflecting his deep interest in the intersections of leadership, faith, and civic engagement.
Beyond his professional commitments, Reginald remains deeply involved in the community. He has served on several boards, including the UTC Alumni Council,
Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence, and Cempa Community Care. He currently serves President of the Kappa Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Above all his titles and achievements, Reginald holds his role as husband and father most dear. He is happily married to Kimberly Hines Smith of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and together they are the proud parents of two children, Reginald Floyd Smith III and Katherine JoAnna Smith.