Hunter Engineering’s senior vice president is retiring after 40 years of service.

Dave Smith joined the company in 1975 as a sales representative in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. After five years, Smith was promoted to Cleveland region manager. In that position, Smith oversaw unprecedented growth in the area and forged lasting relationships with some of the industry’s largest tire manufacturers, the company said in a press release making the announcement.

“Dave took over Hunter’s sales organization at a difficult time in the company’s history,” Steve Brauer, chairman of Hunter, said. “His enthusiasm and dedication for the next 24 years led to the creation of the industry’s greatest equipment sales and service force and unprecedented success with all of Hunter’s major customers.

In 1984, Smith was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. During this time, the company said, he led the growth of Hunter’s sales and service organization from 200 representatives to more than 630. Similar growth was also achieved in Canada under Smith.

In 2008, Smith became Hunter’s senior vice president, continuing to manage Hunter’s dedicated field organization throughout North America and providing guidance to Hunter’s marketing department, according to the company.

“Dave’s contribution to Hunter’s growth is immeasurable,” Brauer added. “All of us wish him great happiness in retirement!”