The Eighth Chop from the Top

About the Book

Eighth Chop from the Top is an autobiography that takes readers through the journey of one man’s life from early beginnings in rural North Carolina through an assortment of life experiences. The book offers an interesting story of opportunities, challenges, and emotional highs and lows, where family, friends, education, and career figure prominently along the path of one man’s life. Along that path, the author recounts a variety of life lessons that are provided as motivation, insights, and encouragement for readers. It is a story that takes readers from rural North Carolina to the largest cities in the United States and beyond. It takes readers from the farm to the highest levels of the federal government. It is a compelling story of culture, environment, race, and a range of encounters of a black man in the United States during a time of opportunity and change.

About the Author

Dr. Willie Smith is a native of Elizabethtown, North Carolina where he grew up on a small farm as the youngest of eight children. He has spent four decades working at various levels within agencies in the U.S. federal government, including the Department of Navy, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. His life and career experiences provide a rich story that he felt compelled to share in this autobiography. He is a graduate of Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management. He holds two Masters degrees; a Master of Public Administration degree with concentrations in Financial Management and Government Contracting; and a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy. Willie also holds a Doctorate of Management and Organizational Leadership.