06/04/2026
Remembering the Man Behind the Name!
Stephens & Smith is honoring the life and legacy of company founder Mike Smith, who died Dec. 6 at age 77.
Smith helped build Stephens & Smith into one of Nebraska’s most respected construction companies, leaving a lasting mark on the industry and the many employees who worked alongside him through the years. His leadership style combined high standards, steady guidance and a genuine care for people.
Vice President Brett Richert, who started at Stephens & Smith in 1979 and now leads the company’s real estate division, said Smith made an immediate impression on those around him. He was the kind of person people naturally respected, Richert said.
Richert also remembered the confidence Smith inspired in employees. “He made you feel good, challenged you in a good way, and gave you a lot of confidence and encouragement,” he said.
Smith also was known for leading through action, Richert said.
Smith was born on Jan. 3, 1948, in Lincoln to Joseph A. and Virginia Smith and remained a proud Lincoln resident throughout his life. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1966 and then attended the University of Nebraska School of Architecture and Southeast Community College in Milford, where he studied architecture and drafting. He was known as a lifelong learner who continually sought to grow in business, leadership and life.
As the company grew, Smith sought new opportunities that would benefit both the business and its people. “He was a real innovator and entrepreneur,” Richert said. “He always was bringing a new idea to the table, getting it started, and creating opportunities for people like me coming up through the company.”
In 1969, Smith married Chrisenda Holt, beginning a partnership that would span more than five decades. Together, they raised two daughters, Kim and Kierstin, and later enjoyed the role of grandparents to six grandchildren. Family remained at the center of Smith’s life. He was known for his humor, storytelling and playful spirit at gatherings.
Though he officially retired from Stephens & Smith in 2003, Smith never lost his passion for building. In retirement, he remained active with numerous projects and volunteered countless hours with Habitat for Humanity, sharing his skills and helping others create homes of their own.
He and Chris also enjoyed traveling and spent several years living part time in Florida before returning to Lincoln to be closer to family.
Smith lived with Alzheimer’s disease in his later years. Those who knew him said the illness never erased his warmth, humor or instinct to encourage others.
Mike Smith’s legacy lives on not only in the company he helped found, but in the values of hard work, craftsmanship, generosity and family that continue to define Stephens & Smith.
