Ken Smith is president and co-founder of Southwest Traders, Inc., a foodservice distribution company, in Temecula, California. Southwest Traders, Inc. specializes in providing Distribution Solutions within the foodservice industry. Ken began his business career in the summer of 1976, as a one van operation delivering natural foods and fresh juices to customers in North San Diego County. Today, Southwest Traders boasts 6 warehouse facilities in 4 states, capable of handling 4 temperature zones, providing coverage to 14 western states, carrying 3,500 different products, and employing over 330 people. Southwest Traders, Inc. services nearly 4,500 customer locations including Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Baskin Robbins, Church's Chicken, Cinnabon, Costco, Golden Spoon, Juice It Up!, TCBY, and many others. Between 1986 and 2004, Ken Smith was a member of The Executive Committee (TEC 29). In 1999, Southwest Traders, Inc. won the coveted Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award that honors entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, hard work, and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. Ken founded Southwest Soccer Club, an elite youth soccer club, and built the John Blanche Soccer Complex both located in Temecula, California. Ken is also a strong supporter of the Temecula Valley High School Wrestling Program. Ken is proud of the support he provides the community in which his family and he both work and live. Ken was born in Norfolk, Virginia and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Illinois. Between 1974 and 1976, Ken attended Louisiana State University on a wrestling scholarship. In 1983, Ken married his wife Christina DeMatteis. Ken and Tina have been living and raising their five boys in Temecula, California since 1998. Kenny attends Grossmont College in San Diego, California, while Blaine attends the University of San Diego and is a member of the soccer team. Brad and Ryan attend Temecula Valley High School, and Keegan attends Temecula Middle School. Both on and off the field and the wrestling matt, Ken's personal belief is that success comes from hard work, quality leadership, and the people you partner with.