2011 Klinefelter Winner Demonstrates Aplomb
Claire Smith honored at San Antonio Institute

In classical ballet, aplomb refers to the art form’s basic law–stability.

“By means of aplomb, the dancer acquires a precision and elegance which ensure the successful execution of every foot movement, however artistic and difficult, and thereby creates a pleasing and satisfactory impression upon the observer. Aplomb may be compared with the sureness of touch of the pianist,” said Bernhard Klemm in the book Grammar of the Art of Dancing.

The words Klemm uses to define aplomb–stability, precision, elegance, successful execution, artistic, pleasing and satisfactory impression, sureness–also define CCA’s 52nd Klinefelter recipient, Claire Smith of Sunkist Growers.

Smith received the award, named for CCA charter member H.E. Klinefelter, at this June’s Institute in San Antonio, Texas. The award, considered CCA’s highest honor, recognizes cooperative communicators whose work is considered by their peers to be outstanding.

“During Claire’s watch as director of corporate communications, she has successfully helmed a myriad of responsibilities from grower newsletters, news releases, speech writing, producing corporate videos and even addressing acts of god disasters to the media with aplomb,” says Sunkist’s Director of Marketing Leland Wong.

But there are more words to describe Smith’s communications ballet than just aplomb.

Among those words frequently used by those supporting her nomination are mentor, dedication, professional, inspiration, grace; but perhaps the most complimentary of those is simply, friend.

A native of Houston, Texas, Smith earned a journalism and advertising degree from Texas Tech. Prior to joining Sunkist, she was assistant vice president of marketing and public and member relations for the Farm Credit Banks of Sacramento where she directed the advertising program for a five-state area, managed member relations activities, served as spokesperson and was managing editor of the news magazine.

As if her current duties with billion-dollar revenue generating Sunkist aren’t enough, she also shares her expertise with Fruit Growers Supply Company, a cooperative affiliate.

Always with an eye toward giving to her profession, Smith has served in a variety of leadership roles in several organizations including the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, the Public Relations Society of America, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Southern California chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

Her CCA involvement is long and varied. A 22-year member, Smith served two terms on the board and co-chaired the successful 1993 Institute in Monterey, California. An Institute presenter and CCA Communiqué contributor, she has also won several top awards in the CCA Communications Contest.

“Her wisdom in big-picture decision making is a true asset to our organization, and she was often the calming factor in heated discussions,” says fellow CCA board member Allison Morgan.

Not only does Smith care about the professional lives of her colleagues; she also shows great concern for their personal lives.

“Keeping the welfare of others in the forefront is a trademark of Claire Smith’s style, even when her own life has had more than its share of tragedies,” says her Klinefelter application.

Smith’s longtime friend and fellow Klinefelter winner Dan Campbell sums it up like this: “No matter how you peel it, when it comes to co-op communications, Claire Smith has seen it all and done it all, better than just about anyone.”