A native of Polk County, Erica Smith is a third generation Floridian and is proud of her Haines City roots. With two older sisters and two younger brothers, Smith’s childhood was surrounded by a loving and supportive (although somewhat dysfunctional and at times… too supportive) family. Reared by a “show biz” mom and the world’s best dad, Smith was a champion baton twirler, dancer and made it to the third “call back” for a role in the new Mickey Mouse Club in the 1980s only to be beat out by the only slightly more talented Brittany Spears and Christina Aguilera. She is still a little bitter to this day (and regrets not making the cheerleading team at Haines City High School, as well). She was awarded a prestigious Silver Garland in 1992 and graduated fifth in her high school class. Most of her overachiever personality traits can be traced to her mother who still constantly pushes her to be the best!

Smith received both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from The University of Central Florida majoring in Communications. She is currently working towards a Doctorate in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing at Argosy University. She also teaches several community college marketing and advertising classes as a member of the Polk Community College adjunct faculty staff. In her spare time, she enjoys redecorating the house, traveling, reading, cooking/entertaining, planning parties and desperately trying to escape family functions with her nine nieces and nephews.

Currently, Smith spends most of her work day with the Lakeland Center team serving as the Director of Marketing. She has been with Polk County’s largest entertainment and convention venue for three years and each day exceeds her expectations. Her marketing career began with Florida Cypress Gardens where she worked throughout the park in a variety of marketing functions. Some of her fondest career and personal moments were spent at Cypress Gardens including entertaining music legends, creating landmark special events, naming water and theme park rides, selling park tickets on the Home Shopping Channel and best of all… meeting her incredible husband of six years, Keith.

As the most recent addition to the Mayhem in AM team, Smith is a newcomer to talk radio and is grateful for the incredible opportunity. Throughout her career, she has worked with top touring shows and productions but enjoys this newest adventure with WLKF, the most. She is also a featured writer and columnist for Today and Tonight Magazine and hopes to continue expanding her journalism career.

Smith lives in Winter Haven with her husband and her very spoiled dog, Haley.

Haley likes to sunbathe in the nude.

Erica with her favorite little girl.