Our Namesakes
Joe Smead
Dr. Harold J. “Joe” Smead (1925 - 2003) grew up in humble circumstances, the oldest son of a single mother who took in laundry to make ends meet. As a young teen, he was determined to attend nearby Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, Washington as an essential stepping-stone to a college education.
Knowing his family lacked the means to cover tuition, Smead met with Gonzaga Prep administrators and advocated for himself. Through his presentation, they recognized his intellect and potential. When asked what he could contribute to his education, Smead pledged all the earnings from his newspaper route: 50 cents a week. The headmaster agreed and he was on his way. Family members say he never forgot that kindness and support, nor the opportunities afforded him by his education.
An exceptional student, Smead earned a WWII Navy sponsored V-12 scholarship to attend CU «Ƶ, graduating in 1946 after only 26 months with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering degree. He then served on the USS Columbia, and after completing his time in the Navy, thought his future lay in academia. He went on to attend school in his home state, earning a master’s degree from the University of Washington and subsequently, a doctoral degree from Purdue University.
Though Smead was planning to become a professor, he quickly built a career as an engineer in private industry. From 1954 to 1960, he was employed in electronic systems engineering by Litton Industries. In 1960, he left an establish position as the Director of Engineering at Litton Industries to go to an aerospace start-up, Teledyne Industries. Despite the risk, Joe knew that Teledyne would be successful. He would spend 13 years with the company.
In 1973, Joe joined Kaiser Aerospace. He became President and CEO of Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corp. in 1974 before purchasing the company. He continued to lead the business until 1999.
Smead was a founding member of CU «Ƶ’s Aerospace Engineering Sciences External Advisory Board and established the department's A. Richard Seebass Endowed Chair, currently held by Distinguished Professor Dan Scheeres. For his many extraordinary professional accomplishments and strong volunteer commitment to CU Engineering, he was awarded the College of Engineering and Applied Science Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award.
Smead had a lifelong passion for education and learning. He quietly, and typically anonymously, supported scholarships and teaching programs as he recognized his responsibility to give back to that which had helped him achieve and accomplish so much.
Joe died in 2003, but since then his legacy has only grown. His widow Ann has continued to be involved with CU Aerospace, and in 2017, in recognition of their tremendous support, the department and The Smead Program were named in their honor.
Ann Smead
Ann Smead graduated from the University of Iowa and began her career with IBM as a Systems Engineer and Product Educator. She was the first woman partner in an Oregon-based commercial real estate and development company, during which time she also taught real estate financial analysis at schools and universities throughout the U.S. and Eastern Europe.
Ann subsequently joined Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics, consulting and managing that company’s diverse real estate portfolio.
Smead is also well-known for her work in the Vail Valley, where she has lived since 1999. She served on the Vail Mountain School Board of Directors and was its chair until 2016. She also served as board chair of the Vail Valley Foundation and is a current board member on an organization dedicated to providing leadership in arts, athletics, and education in the Vail Valley.
She was named the Vail Valley Foundation’s Citizen of the Year in 2014, and the Walking Mountain Science Center’s Reach of the Peak award recipient in 2016, for her support of environmental education for all children in the Vail Valley.
Ann was awarded an Honorary Degree from the «Ƶ in 2024 in recognition of her distinguished career as an engineer, executive, educator, community leader and philanthropist.
She continues to work in asset management and loves to travel, especially with her family and four granddaughters, all of whom are Colorado natives.
Michael M. Byram
Michael M. Byram served as president and CEO of the four-campus University of Colorado Foundation from January 2001 to April 2006, during which time CU became one of only 11 public universities to complete a $1 billion fundraising campaign.
Prior to that, Byram spent many years in the high technology medical device field, beginning with American Hospital Supply’s V. Mueller and Edwards Laboratories Divisions. Byram later became President and CEO of MedLogic, an advanced biomedical polymer adhesives company in Colorado Springs, where he led the successful acquisition of two companies to expand MedLogic’s technology platform and facilitate its entry into European markets.
He has extensive training and experience in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, marketing and new product development. In his corporate and management positions he worked to establish strong intellectual property strategies and negotiated licensing agreements and joint ventures with several major universities.
As an inventor/co-inventor of medical devices and products Byram has been awarded over 20 U.S. patents. He has received numerous civic and philanthropic awards including the University Medal by the «Ƶ in 2000. Byram is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a Master of International Management degree from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird).
