Ralph H. Smith II, President of The Ralph Smith Group, a global consulting company for business and higher education, and special counsel in the firm’s Birmingham office, was the featured speaker at the Rotaract Club of Birmingham’s luncheon meeting held on January 3, 2013. Rotaract was established under the umbrella of Rotary International to develop effective young business and professional leaders and promote responsible citizenship. The Rotaract Club of Birmingham, with close to 250 members, is the largest Rotaract Club in the world. In 2012, the Rotaract Club of Birmingham presented Mr. Smith with its inaugural "Mentor Birmingham Award." Mr. Smith served as General Counsel to the University of Alabama System from 2004 to 2012 and continues to teach and advise the university on international trade and economic development. He is also active in the leadership of the Rhodes Scholarship Trust, where he is responsible for the selection of Rhodes Scholars in Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida.