Gerald H. "Jerry" Smith is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in both telecommunications and genealogy. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Allegheny College and an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh. His career in telecommunications research and development included roles at Bell Telephone Laboratories, AT&T, Lucent, and Avaya, where he served as a Member of Technical Staff, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, and Technical Manager. During this time, he was involved in developing business and military communications systems, voice-over-internet products, and computer-telephony integration. He also holds U.S. and international patents.
Since his work in telecommunications, Smith has established a second career as a professional genealogist. He is certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists and has been qualified as an expert witness in probate and mineral rights cases. He has served as a faculty member and course coordinator at several prestigious genealogical institutes, including the Salt Lake Institute for Genealogy and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. He has also authored two books, published in several genealogical journals, and is a frequent researcher at various archives and historical repositories. In addition to his professional achievements, Smith is a competitive archer, a model railroader, and remains active in the Boy Scouts of America.