A Special Interview: December 2025
Gray Smith, LBC ’93, shared his leadership insights with LBC.
How did your LBC experience influence your community leadership?
My LBC experience influenced my approach to community leadership by deepening my understanding of the issues facing Baltimore County and providing practical ways to get involved. Before LBC, I had a general awareness of the challenges in our community, but the program opened my eyes through conversations with other leaders and a behind-the-scenes look at how the county operates. It also gave me clear steps for turning awareness into action—like building partnerships and using resources to make a real difference. Equally important, LBC helped me build relationships with people who are actively making a difference, giving me opportunities to become more directly involved in causes that matter to me. Since going through the leadership program, I’ve been much more intentional about where I spend my time and how our firm supports initiatives that strengthen the community.
As a leader of a public accounting firm that provides services to many nonprofit organizations, how do you view the role of philanthropy?
As the leader of SB & Company, LLC (SBC), a public accounting firm that serves many nonprofit organizations, I see philanthropy as both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead by example. To me, philanthropy is more than financial contributions—it’s about investing time, knowledge, and resources to strengthen the communities we serve. Working closely with nonprofits and serving on several nonprofit boards has given me a firsthand understanding of the impact that strategic giving and volunteerism can have in addressing critical needs. I believe firms like ours have a unique role: we can help advance the missions of these organizations by not only supporting them financially but also by sharing expertise and skills that help them grow and achieve their goals. At SBC, we encourage community involvement by providing time off for volunteer activities and financially supporting causes our employees care about. This engagement not only strengthens the community, but also supports the personal and professional development of our people.
What life experience has most shaped who you are as a leader?
Founding SBC has been the most transformative experience in shaping my leadership. While my time as a partner at Big 4 firms provided valuable leadership experience, it did not carry the same personal responsibility as my role today as Managing Partner and CEO of SBC. Today, the trust placed in me by our team is profound—I am accountable for creating an environment where they can build rewarding and challenging careers. We have exceptionally talented professionals who could work anywhere, yet they chose SBC. I never take that responsibility for granted. This experience has taught me that leadership is not about titles or authority, but about earning trust, fostering growth, and ensuring that decisions consistently reflect our values. It also requires building a culture where doing the right thing and honoring our commitments come naturally, supported by strong processes and the ability to anticipate and adapt to change.
In your opinion, what personal trait is most important to being a good leader and why?
I believe good leadership is never defined by a single trait – it is a combination of qualities that work together. For me, five traits are essential: clear vision, creative thinking, active listening, the ability to inspire others, and integrity. Vision provides direction and ensures that both you and your team know where you are headed. Creative thinking allows a leader to adapt and evolve in a fast-moving environment and deliver solutions clients may not have considered. Listening is critical because it builds trust and ensures that decisions reflect the perspectives of those you lead. Inspiration motivates people to move beyond their comfort zones and believe in the value of the outcome. Integrity is the foundation— without it, none of the other traits matter. Together, these qualities create a leader who empowers others to succeed.