Edward M. Smith

On January 3, 2011, Edward M. Smith was elevated to chief executive officer of Ullico Inc. after serving as its president since May of 2008. Founded in 1927 as The Union Labor Life Insurance Company, today Ullico Inc. provides insurance and financial solutions for labor unions, union employers, union benefit funds and union members. Prior to becoming president, Mr. Smith served as Ullico Inc.’s executive vice president from January 2007 until May 2008.

Before joining Ullico, Smith had a long and distinguishing career at the Laborers' International Union of North America before retirement. He was elected business manager of Laborer's Local 773 at age twenty-one. Smith later became International Union vice president and Midwest regional manager serving over 58,000 members. He also served as assistant to the general president.

Smith formerly served as chairman of the Illinois State Board of Investment, chairman of the National Alliance for Fair Contracting, and a member of the Illinois Department of Labor Advisory Board. He has also been a key benefactor to the Therapy Center in Carterville, Illinois. The Therapy Center is an organization that assists physically disabled children. Additionally, Smith served as a board member of the I Can Read Program, a program committed to helping children with reading and learning disabilities.

In addition to his current duties at Ullico, Smith also serves as a member of America's AgendaHealthcare for All. He also sits on the board of American Rights at Work, a non-profit organization that advocates for the ability of workers to join unions.

He graduated from Shawnee College with an Associate of Arts Degree. In 1992, he received the college's first Outstanding Alumni Award. Smith was the first member of the Laborers' International Union to graduate from the National Labor College with a Bachelor's Degree. In 1978, Smith graduated from the Harvard University Trade Union Program.

Smith and his wife, Betty, reside in Alexandria, Virginia. He has two children, daughter Jordan and son Matt.