4-28-23 Trent Smith, Franklinton Board of Trade

Trent Smith has been the Executive Director of the Franklinton Board of Trade (FBOT) since January of 2010. FBOT serves as the chamber of commerce for the Franklinton neighborhood, but unlike a traditional chamber it is a 501c3 non-profit. This status gives FBOT the latitude to do important community work based on three pillars of focus: Advocate, Beautify, Connect. In addition to business
development, Trent organizes networking events, clean-up / beautification projects and socializing hours for FBOT members and guests. He works to create strong connections and relationships between the business community, non-profit community, and the residents of Franklinton. Franklinton Board of Trade also serves to manage the Franklinton Special Improvement District of Columbus, Inc., which is designed to provide full time safety and cleaning services to a defined area of the Franklinton community.

 

Prior to 2010 Trent spent 18 years in banking, most recently as the Branch Manager/AVP for WesBanco Bank’s Gahanna, OH office. Part of his role there was to serve as the community development outreach director, which is what brought him to Franklinton in the first place. Trent has had the opportunity to serve as a trustee on a variety of boards through his career, including the Neighborhood Design Center, the East Franklinton Review Board, Community Crime Patrol, Habitat for Humanity, Gahanna Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Shares of MidOhio, Lower Lights, Inc., Franklinton Development Association, Franklinton Area Commission, and the Gravity II NCA board. He is a resident of Franklinton where he lives with his wife, Joanna, his son, Quinn, and two rescue cats, Petals and Frankie.