Karen, Stephanie and Steve Smith

Karen Smith, candidate for Berkeley County School Board, learned her personal values and work ethic growing up on her family’s dairy farm in Rising Sun, Maryland.  As the a middle child of five children, Karen naturally filled her role as a leader among her siblings and learned early in life the importance of doing what is right – not necessarily popular.  A strong work ethic and high personal values followed as she left the farm to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. 

Smith has enjoyed many career successes in senior financial leadership positions in small, emerging companies as well as those in the Fortune 100.  She earned recognition as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) while working for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, one of the four largest national public accounting firms (at the time) in Pittsburgh, PA.  Afterwards, she held the position of Manager of Accounting & Taxes for American Eagle Outfitters Stores.  After a family move took her to the west coast, she held the position of Director of Finance for a $1.2 billion division of FHP Healthcare, a HMO in Los Angeles, CA.  Later finding her way back to Pittsburgh, Karen settled into East Liberty Family Healthcare Center, a non-profit healthcare provider, as the Administrator of Finance where she continues to work by telecommunication. 

In 2004, Karen and her husband, Steve, decided to leave harsh winters of the northeast and corporate life, move to Charleston and start their own business.  That same year, Core One Mortgage was opened on Daniel Island.  After the success of this business, the duo opened a second business, Core One Properties, in 2005.  In addition to her virtual position in Pittsburgh, Karen serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for both companies. 

Professional accomplishments aside, the central focus of Karen's life stretches back to her roots- family and serving the community.  Moving to the area with an elementary aged daughter, Karen quickly became active at Hanahan Elementary School where Stephanie attended until the 2005 School Year. 

During construction of the Daniel Island School, Karen served as Chairperson of the Education Committee of the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association.  Near completion of the school, the school's first PTA chapter was formed at which Karen was elected President; she was subseqently elected to a second term for the 2007/2008 year.  During her administration, the PTA chapter has received much attention as a model program and received the State Volunteer Award by the State Board of Education for exceptional public service in public schools.  The award was presented by Jim Rex, State Secretary of Education.

Karen's involvement in other civic and professional organizations includes:  Daniel Island School Improvement Council’s Academic Improvement Committee, Adopt-A-Teacher Corporate Partner, Classroom Mom, Parent Volunteer, Daniel Island Rotary Club (past member), Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Church Finance Committee, Visits to the Aged Program, American Institute of CPAs, South Carolina Association of CPAs and Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. 

Karen, her husband Steve and daughter Stephanie live on Daniel Island where they enjoy recreational sporting, boating and participation in community sponsored social activities.