Giving back is a responsibility that strengthens communities, builds better businesses, and reminds leaders their greatest impact starts beyond the blueprint.
Giving your time, effort, and money isn’t just a kind gesture – it’s a responsibility. If not us and our community, then who? I came to this realization as a young man while serving in the Army National Guard to help pay for college. During a semester break, I took a job as a shopping mall Santa. What started as a way to earn some extra money for school became a life-changing experience. I was deeply moved by the children I met – many of whom carried burdens far heavier than a wish list for gifts. Sometimes it was the hard questions for Santa that stayed with me. Like when kids ask less about toys and treats and share more about loss or longing. Their unfiltered honesty can shift how you see the world.
Another transformative experience was serving in the Persian Gulf War. Witnessing so many people in desperate and hopeless circumstances – and seeing how simple acts of human kindness, like offering food, water, or medical care, could make a profound difference – completely shifted my perspective. It made me realize how blessed I am and that I was duty bound to help others.
For more than 30 years now, I’ve had the privilege of working with organizations across Central Arkansas – Women and Children First, Goodness Village, and many others. Whether I’m leading a capital campaign, mentoring students, or simply putting on a Santa suit to bring joy to children in crisis, I’ve found that community service is not just good, it’s essential. And it’s more than giving dollars; it’s about looking someone in the eye, listening to them with intention, and forging real human connections. That’s where the heart of service truly lives.
Why it matters to communities.
Our communities face complex challenges: housing insecurity, lack of access to healthcare, and educational disparities. As engineers and architects, we have the skills to help solve these problems, not just through design and construction, but through leadership, advocacy, and hands-on involvement.
Take the Women and Children First Peace Center in central Arkansas, for example. When their outdated facility could no longer meet the needs of those they serve, I worked on a team lead a campaign to build a new 60,000-square-foot center. This isn’t just a building project. It’s a lifeline for women and children seeking safety, medical care, job assistance, housing, and legal support. That’s the kind of impact we can have when we step beyond our job descriptions.
Why it matters to business.
Community service is more than just altruism. It’s also smart business. When our teams engage with local organizations, they build relationships and gain a deeper understanding of the people and places we serve. It fosters trust, strengthens our reputation, and creates a culture of empathy and purpose.
At Garver, I’ve seen firsthand how service-oriented leadership inspires others. Our charitable program, GarverGives, exemplifies this by matching the funds our employees raise for causes that matter most to them – amplifying their impact through corporate support. Our younger professionals are eager to get involved, and our clients notice when we show up in not just boardrooms, but in shelters, schools, and hospitals. It’s a powerful differentiator in a competitive industry.
Why it matters to the AEC industry.
As leaders in the AEC space, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to shape the future. That means investing in STEM education, mentoring the next generation, and advocating for equity and access. Through my work with Junior Achievement and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, I’ve mentored students from underrepresented communities, helping them envision careers in engineering and design. These efforts strengthen our industry by bringing fresh perspectives and diverse talent.
We also have a duty to honor those who’ve served. As a longtime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9095, I’ve organized events and raised funds to support veterans in need. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for service and reminded me that leadership is about lifting others up.
A call to action.
To my fellow AEC leaders: I encourage you to look beyond the blueprint. Our expertise is valuable, but our compassion is transformative. Whether it’s volunteering your time, lending your skills, or mentoring a young person, your impact can ripple far beyond the job site.
Community service isn’t a side project – it’s a cornerstone of resilient communities, thriving businesses, and a forward-thinking industry. Let’s build more than structures. Let’s build hope, opportunity, and lasting change.
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Wallace Smith, PE, is director of federal services at Garver and the recipient of the 2025 national ACEC Community Service Award. Connect with him on LinkedIn. |