Former CEO Mike Smith '70 Realizes Dream of Life Dedicated to Service

December 16, 2007

December 16, 2007, Greencastle, Ind. - "Serving is what Mike Smith chose to do after he helped coordinate the $16.5 billion merger of Anthem and WellPoint Health Networks in 2004, which created the second-largest health insurer in the nation," notes an Indianapolis Business Journal story on former top executives who have dedicated their lives to serving others. "The merger sealed what had already been a highly lucrative stint at Anthem for Smith, who previously had been CEO of the Mayflower Group Inc., a moving company. But Smith, 59, didn't use his money to pursue the good life."

Smith, a 1970 graduate of DePauw University, tells IBJ, "My schedule has been nuts, and I'm supposed to be retired." Instead, J.K. Wall writes, "He is serving on the boards of five public companies, one private company, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and DePauw University. He also serves as treasurer for the Indianapolis Museum of Art and has helped raise money for the Shepherd Community Center, a Christian ministry for Indianapolis' at-risk youth. 'I wanted to make the choice not to work in the corporate world, but to work in my own private enterprise or philanthropy or public service,' said Smith, describing that as his 'dream' from his days as a student at DePauw. His faith contributed to this shift to service, he said, particularly in its ability to humble him."

Smith adds, "The power of not putting yourself at the center of the universe is important."

Access the complete article by Wall (who is a 2001 DePauw graduate) at the Business Journal's Web site.

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