Lynnetta Smith, Founder
Lynnetta Smith has been the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom (CB2TB) since 2019, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families in their transition to civilian life. She currently serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the Bryan County Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for the Bryan County Board of Elections.
With nearly two decades of unwavering dedication to federal government service, Lynnetta has flourished as a committed civil servant, specializing in budget and resource management across various branches of the military. Her career includes transformative roles that have honed her expertise in strategic financial planning and effective resource allocation. A notable highlight includes completing Temporary Duty Location Developmental Assignments at FORSCOM Headquarters, showcasing her adaptability in the dynamic landscape of military finance.
As a Senior Budget Analyst at the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in Quantico, Virginia, she demonstrated a keen ability to navigate complex fiscal landscapes while safeguarding essential resources. Her strategic acumen in defending budgetary projections at the Pentagon further solidified her reputation as an advocate for securing critical national defense funding. A pivotal phase in her career emerged when she served as Budget Officer at Winn Army Community Hospital, where she successfully managed three distinct appropriations totaling an impressive $265 million.
Until September 2023, Lynnetta served as Chief of the Atlantic Region for Budgetary Affairs at CID Hunter Army Airfield, overseeing resource allocation for the East Coast and European territories, including Belgium, Germany, and Italy. Since transitioning from federal service, she has fully dedicated herself to leading CB2TB, expanding its impact and resources to better support veterans, military families, and youth empowerment initiatives.
Under her leadership, CB2TB’s nine-month P.R.O.S.P.E.R. Veteran Transitional Cohort has been recognized as a United Way Community Partner, ensuring that veterans have innovative access to workforce development opportunities. Through this initiative, veterans receive behind-the-scenes access to ten industries across six counties, providing first hand exposure and direct pathways to sustainable careers. This program reflects Lynnetta’s commitment to bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment, fostering long-term success for those who have served.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lynnetta is a devoted wife of 24 years to James Smith, a 20-year veteran, and a dedicated mother to her two daughters, Nicole and Blythe. Her journey embodies a steadfast commitment to service, mastery of budgetary strategy, and an unwavering dedication to empowering veterans and their families.
James Smith, Co-Founder
James Smith retired in 2018, after serving 20 years in the United States Army. During his time in the military, he served in the Army Signal and Intelligence Corp. He received numerous awards and decorations for his hard work and dedication. While serving in the military he had to learn to work as a member of team, take orders as a member of team, and to ultimately lead a team. Being in the Army gave him a better understanding of the importance of being able to work as a member of team, giving everyone a chance to show their strengths, while helping them in the areas where they are weak. James spent his career not only serving the country, but also trying to make his fellow soldiers, not just better soldiers, but better people as well. He believes the most important thing is taking care of people and their families. If you do that, there is nothing they cannot accomplish. This is something he still believes to this day.
This love of helping grew further in 2019, when James and his wife Lynnetta founded Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom (CB2TB). CB2TB was founded to help veterans and their families as they transition from military to civilian life. After having gone through the process himself, he knows firsthand the challenges they face and some of the obstacles they have to overcome. Through CB2TB he wanted to make the process a little less stressful on the families as they navigate unchartered waters. CB2TB has hosted events and provided services and goods in the past to veterans and their families as a way to help. James through CB2TB has provided toys to kids in the area through Toys 4 Tots, every year since 2019. Additionally, he has helped plan and participate in back to school and other kid friendly events. Through CB2TB James will continue to give back to the community.
Prior to founding CB2TB, James has volunteered wherever he has lived. He has coached recreation teams, volunteered at schools, and many other events as a way to give back to the community. He has served as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce, where he assisted and volunteered as a member of the Chamber of Commerce from 2021 to 2023. These are some of the other ways James has given back to the community and will continue doing so in the future.
After retiring from the Army, James pulled the knowledge gained from his degree in Criminal Justice to serve as the Crime Analyst Supervisor for the Savannah Police Department. In this position he had to lead a team of ten analysts, getting them to work together as team to provide intelligence, information, and data to officers and leadership within the department and City of Savannah. He also had to work together with the rest of the department to make sure they had the information they needed, before they knew they needed. Through this position he learned even more so the importance of working together as team, because he could see the impact on the community firsthand when everyone worked together for the greater good.
Currently James is a Human Resource Development Specialist with ATF. In this position James is responsible for working as a member of team in the design, implementation, and evaluation of ATF training programs. In this position James gets to provide input and help others to make the organization a better place. This falls in with something he has always tried to live by, always leave an organization in a better place than it was before you joined it, as well as his Master’s in Performance Improvement. He takes this to heart and always to try to find ways to make things better, which ultimately makes him better, because he learns along the way as well, because he knows he doesn’t know everything and we can stronger together than we are apart.
Nicole Smith, Co-Founder, Kits 4 Kids Program
Nicole Smith is a dedicated and accomplished military child who has been an integral part of her community and the nonprofit organization, Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom (CB2TB). Currently a 10th grader at Richmond Hill High School, Nicole exemplifies leadership, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference.
As the Co-Founder of the Kits 4 Kids Program, Nicole has played a pivotal role in spearheading the nonprofit initiative for nearly six years. Through her leadership, the program has organized impactful events such as the Back 2 School Events, the Bookmobile Literacy Initiative, and numerous fundraising efforts. Notably, Nicole has contributed to raising funds for the Paul Monroe Leadership & Academic Scholarship, which has awarded $1,000 scholarships to five high school seniors annually over the last five years.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Nicole is actively engaged in her school and community through various programs, sports, and clubs. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), where she explores her passion for the medical field. She is also an advocate for Toys for Tots, a volleyball player, and a committed volunteer in numerous community initiatives under the CB2TB mission.
Nicole’s academic achievements are equally impressive. At the end of her 9th-grade year, she enrolled in the dual enrollment program at Savannah Technical College and spent the summer studying in the Aviation program. Her dedication to excellence, both in and out of the classroom,
sets her apart as she continues to pursue her academic goals.
Graduating with the Class of 2027, Nicole aspires to further her education in the medical field, with dreams of becoming either a veterinarian or a radiologist. Her passion for helping others and her unwavering dedication to her community highlight her as an inspiring young leader and a testament to the values instilled by her military family upbringing.
Blythe Smith,
Co-Founder, Kits 4 Kids Program
Blythe Smith is an exceptional and compassionate 9-year-old who is making meaningful contributions to her community while excelling academically and pursuing her interests. Currently a third grader in the Gifted Program at McAllister Elementary School, Blythe’s academic talents were recognized early when she entered the program after completing kindergarten.
Blythe’s love for learning is evident in her active participation in the Spanish Club and her recognition as Wildcat of the Week during the first semester of her 3rd-grade year. She also frequently gives back to her school by reading to kindergarten students, a role entrusted to her by her former kindergarten teacher. This dedication to literacy extends to her work with the Pages & Reels Bookmobile, a literacy initiative she co-founded with her older sister as part of the Kits 4 Kids Program.
Beyond her passion for literacy, Blythe is an advocate for Toys for Tots, helping provide hundreds of children with toys during the holidays and ensuring thousands of youth receive Back 2 School supplies over the past five years. Her commitment to helping others reflects her strong sense of community and generosity.
In her free time, Blythe is an avid cheerleader and continues to grow and excel in her sport, year after year. Her enthusiasm, leadership, and dedication to making a difference highlight her as a young leader who is already leaving a positive mark on her school and community.
