Captain D’s Sandra Clingan Smith is Back

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Sandra Clingan Smith returns to Captain D’s Seafood as vice president of marketing, a job she held at the popular chain from 1995 to 1999.

“It’s wonderful to be back,” Smith said. “There are a lot of truly exciting things going on at Captain D’s and I’m proud to be part of a motivated team with ambitious plans for the brand and company.”

As vice president of marketing, Smith will direct brand development, print and broadcast advertising campaigns, promotions planning and local store marketing strategy. Smith will report to company president and COO David Head.

“We’re excited to have Sandy Smith’s dynamic energy and creative leadership back at the helm of Captain D’s marketing efforts,” said David Head.

Smith comes to Captain D’s from EyeAmerica of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where beginning in 1999 she created the role of marketing vice president for the rapidly growing eye care company. During her tenure at EyeAmerica, she led growth for the company’s vision centers, created the company’s first marketing plan and brand strategy, launched its ad campaign and created an online training program to enhance customer service.

At Captain D’s from 1995 to 1999, Smith had overall responsibility for a $12 million marketing budget that included the company’s advertising, promotions, local store marketing and menu development. During her tenure, Captain D’s generated an average 3 percent same-store sales growth over four years in a declining segment.

Before Captain D’s, Smith held various marketing positions at Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc. in Rocky Mount. She also was with The Quaker Oats Company in Chicago; Frito-Lay, Inc. in Dallas; and Louis Dreyfus Corporation in Minneapolis.

She is a BA graduate of Duke University in economics and has an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.