Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Dana L. Smith was promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) for DMI Companies in 2025. Dana joined DMI in 2017 as the Engineering and New Product Design Manager after a 22-year career in the U.S. Army.

Dana’s distinguished military career includes leadership roles in Army Aviation and multiple operational deployments. His notable assignments included:

• Deputy Director of the Air Land Sea Application Center, where he was responsible for the development and publication of multi-service tactics, techniques, and procedures.
• Senior Policy Advisor for Manufacturing to the Secretary of Commerce, where he made policy recommendations for the Federal Government’s various manufacturing initiatives.
• Executive Officer for the Deputy Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army.

Dana holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Aerospace) from the United States Military Academy and an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the College of William and Mary.

Since joining DMI, Dana has significantly enhanced the Engineering Department’s capabilities in robotics, automation, and design to address the company’s growing needs. His leadership in developing these key competencies, coupled with the implementation of robust project management and documentation standards, has enabled the department to undertake increasingly complex and ambitious projects. These projects have not only expanded DMI’s production capacity across the enterprise but also integrated advanced manufacturing technologies, driving innovation and efficiency.