Del City dedicates street after longtime business leader
Del City officials pose with founder and chairman of MTM Recognition, Dave Smith after the completion of the ribbon cutting ceremony. The City honored Smith and the Smith family for their hard work and dedication to the company and community. PHOTO BY ALYSSA DALLEY-SCHOFIELD
City renames street after MTM Recognition founder Dave Smith
By Alyssa Dalley-Schofield
Midwest City Beacon
The City of Del City honored MTM Recognition chairman and founder, Dave Smith, or Big Dave, by renaming a part of S. Glenn Ave. to Dave Smith Dr.
MTM Recognition and The City of Del City held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday. The company and city leaders gathered for the reveal of the new street sign near the company headquarters at 3405 SE 29th St.
“It’s to honor the chairman and founder of MTM Recognition, or Midwest Trophy as it was formerly known, to honor Dave’s legacy and his life and the work and the contributions to the community he’s made over the past 52/53 years,” said Vice President of Business Development, Ashley Hurney.
Vice President of Operations, Bob Thomas was the man to bring the idea to Council.
“He came to the council and gave a presentation suggesting that we honor Dave through the street, Glenn Ave. is just a short two block street and their company is situated on both sides so they dominate the street and it was his suggestion that we change that name,” said Mayor Floyd Eason. “Council voted for it, everybody supported it and the rest is history.”
Dave Smith founded the company in 1971. MTM Recognition produces awards and employee recognition programs for companies globally with the headquarters in the heart of Del City.
“Dave has had opportunities to move to other communities and he always stayed in Del City and I admire him greatly for that,” said Eason. “He has been loyal to our city and we just want to pay back some of that loyalty.”
How awesome to see this recognition of Dave Smith…..I knew him back (way back) in the 70’s…my son Todd Grogan was involved in all types of sports (football quarterback at Midwest City) but so many friends in Del City and lots of trophy’s from MTM! I pass by the facilities many times as I visit Todd in the Sunnylane Cemetary (he died tragically in 1985) …I am sure Dave will also remember Dave Grogan, a long time friend (he passed away in 2021). Congratulations to you and your family for all you have given to so many people!
Congratulations to Dave Smith! What a wonderful man he is! I was honored to watch him as a teacher and great basketball coach at Southeast High School. He not only worked hard as a history teacher, but spent numerous hours as a coach, then went home and worked making trophies in his garage at home. Once I became a teacher at Epperly Heights in Del City and Midwest Trophy was a growing and successful business, I enjoyed taking my class for a tour of Midwest Trophy. My students enjoyed the opportunity to watch a trophy or plaque being made from the initial plan to the end product. They were so proud to display that trophy in our classroom for the rest of the school year. I know several of my former students became employees of MTM later in life. Dave Smith is such an admiral man for the success he built in MTM, the support he continues to give the community, and for all the lives he has touched along the way! Thank you Dave Smith for touching my life!