Paris, Tenn. – L.I. Smith & Associates is proud to announce the launch of its Campus Leadership Network program and the signing of its first student-athlete, Logan Rorie, who officially signed his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreement on April 15. This milestone reflects the firm’s long-term commitment to workforce development and community investment.
A Dover, Tennessee native, Logan is a business administration major and member of the men’s golf team at Bethel University. His discipline as a student-athlete, combined with his commitment to personal and professional growth, made him a natural fit for a program built around identifying high-potential individuals early in their careers.
The Campus Leadership Network represents a strategic evolution in how LIS approaches recruiting. Rather than relying solely on traditional hiring pipelines, the firm is intentionally building relationships with students during their college years, focusing on long-term alignment and development rather than short-term qualifications. It is an initiative-taking investment in people, rooted in the belief that the strongest teams are built well before a job offer is ever extended.
During the signing, LIS President Patrick Smith emphasized a different approach to recruiting, stating, “we’re not recruiting majors, we’re recruiting mindset.” That perspective drives the program’s focus. While technical skills can be learned over time, LIS prioritizes qualities like character, work ethic, integrity, and a willingness to improve. These are the attributes that sustain long-term success, both within the company and across the industry.
Logan’s role as a campus ambassador extends beyond representation. He will serve as a connector between LIS and the student body at Bethel University, helping introduce peers to career opportunities, internships, and mentorship within the firm. His involvement creates a direct link between the classroom and real-world application, offering students a clearer path into the professional environment while giving LIS early access to emerging talent.
Smith also emphasized the importance of timing, noting that the program is about “building relationships before resumes.” By engaging students earlier in their academic journey, LIS is creating a more intentional and meaningful development pipeline. This approach allows the firm to invest in individuals over time, fostering familiarity, trust, and mutual growth before they ever formally enter the workforce.
This philosophy is also shaping how LIS expands the program moving forward. The Campus Leadership Network is not limited to a single partnership. The firm plans to continue launching the program at colleges and universities across the region, including institutions such as the University of Tennessee at Martin and others throughout Tennessee and beyond. By building a presence on multiple campuses, LIS aims to connect with a broader group of students, creating early opportunities for engagement, mentorship, and career development.
Communities like Paris, Martin, McKenzie, and Dover are not just places to live. They are places where young professionals can thrive, contribute, and build lasting careers. By investing in students early and creating real opportunities close to home, LIS is working to keep talent in West Tennessee. Through this regional approach, LIS is intentionally building a pipeline of talent that reflects both the values of the company and the strength of the communities it serves.
LIS extends its sincere appreciation to the partners who helped bring this program to life, including Bethel University leadership, Dr. Wayne Scott, and Bethel Athletics for their support and collaboration. LIS also thanks Pepsi Mid-America for providing Gatorade and water, The Happy Bookstack and McKenzie Taproom and Restaurant for their contributions, Lake Dwellers for branded swag, Scarlett Orr for custom embroidery, and Josh Greer with NILvana Sports for his guidance through the NIL process. Their collective support reflects a shared commitment to investing in the next generation and creating meaningful opportunities for students across the region.
With Logan Rorie as its first Campus Leadership Network athlete, LIS is laying the groundwork for something much bigger than a single partnership. This program is built on real relationships and a long-term commitment to developing people the right way. It is an investment not only in one student-athlete, but in the future of the workforce and the communities LIS is proud to serve.
L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS) is a full-service, integrative engineering and surveying company that provides services to the public and private sectors. Licensed in twelve states
throughout the Central and Southeast regions, LIS has an experienced team that can provide multistate coverage for projects of all sizes in land development, infrastructure design, and surveying services.
With more than 50 years of industry experience, you can trust LIS with your next project. We combine industry expertise with new, innovative technology to provide innovative solutions to real-world problems. LIS is a certified Tennessee Small Business Enterprise headquartered in Paris, Tennessee, with a branch located in Nashville.