Bertram D. Smith, Jr. is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a professional degree in naval engineer from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served eight years at sea in four different ships through eight deployments to the Western Pacific, six of which were during the war in Vietnam. He has provided management consulting services to the United States government, the government of Canada, and private companies in the United States. He has served as a lector, Bible study teacher, and home group leader within the Christian Church for many years.