Abel L. Smith III
Class Year: 1985
Current City/State: Bethesda, Maryland
Major: Economics
Email Address: abelsmith111@gmail.com
Why I Wanted to Serve on the Alumni Council:
Grinnell College has provided me with tremendous opportunities and has opened many doors for me.
I would like to serve on the Alumni Council as it means of giving back to the college. When I attended the college, the opportunity to interact with alumni made a big impression on me. I was able to do career previews with several alumni in the fields of law and business. These opportunities ultimately guided my career and life decisions. I would like to pass on my experience to current and prospective students and provide input to the Alumni Council.
A Quote I Like:
“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.”
―Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens
“From whom much is given, much is expected.”
―Luke 12:48
A Little Bit About Me:
I recently retired after working 30 years as a public sector attorney. My last position was Assistant Chief Counsel for General Law at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, where I managed a team of attorneys advising on operations. I previously worked as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights; as a labor relations supervisor for the City of Chicago; and, as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, Illinois. I am a Northern Illinois University College of Law graduate. I have served on several volunteer boards and committees. I am passionate about mentoring others.
Other Alumni Involvement: Speaker and Panel Member GBAN Events