Balloon Races

Ron Smith has lived and worked in Reno since 1960, primarily working in broadcasting, public relations, tour operations and with the chamber of commerce. He retired as vice president for Development and Marketing at KNPB/Channel 5 Public Broadcasting in 2006 after 15 years.

Smith has been chairman and a member of many community boards, including the Ad Club, Nevada State Fair and the Reno Performing Arts Center Association. He wrote for and performed in all 55 Sheep Dip Shows and has been “The Voice of the Great Reno Balloon Race” since 1983. He was selected to the Hall of Fame of the Nevada Broadcasters Association in 1999. His wife, Pat, and he perform and direct plays as part of a reader’s theater group, The Ageless Repertory Theater (ART).

Ron and Pat live in Reno and have a combined family of four adult children and seven grandchildren.