Mr. Smithwick received a B. S. degree in mathematics education in 1972 from North Dakota State University. He subsequently entered into business management with AT&T for 20 years, and then held upper management positions with with several small business firms. In addition to his business career, Mr. Smithwick has been active in Christian education work for over 20 years. He served as board member for several Christian schools and taught in a private school one year.
Mr. Smithwick also worked for Dr. Pat Robertson's Freedom Council doing grassroots training on Christian worldview principles. In 1986 Mr. Smithwick founded the Nehemiah Institute and authored the first version of the PEERS Test. He continues to serve as president of the Institute with particular focus on new product development and CFO responsibilities. Mr. Smithwick also serves as a member of the executive committee for the Coalition on Revival (COR). COR is a ministry providing high-level worldview training in all major areas of society.