Over the decades, Ralph Smith Inc. also sold bicycles, produced wood-burning stoves, and was involved in a variety of manufacturing, retail, and real estate enterprises.

Smith was previously on the boards of First Citizens Bank, VAS Explore Park, the Miss Virginia Pageant, and the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee.

[6] Smith has lived in the Roanoke Valley his entire life with the exceptions of when he was being educated at Nashville Auto/Diesel College and during periods of his military service with the United States Coast Guard Reserve between 1964 and 1970.

[16] Smith was sworn into the Senate of Virginia on January 9, 2008 and appointed to serve on the Transportation, Local Government, and Privileges and Elections committees.

[17] Smith has accumulated a conservative voting record since joining the Senate, receiving a 100% rating from the Virginia Family Foundation[18] and successfully sponsoring legislation supported by the National Rifle Association.

[20] In 2009, Smith successfully sponsored legislation that "Adds the benefits, challenges, responsibilities, and value of marriage for men, women, children, and communities to the list of topics to be covered in family life education curricula.

[23] Smith's bill won the praise of the Roanoke Times editorial board, but was defeated in the Senate Finance Committee.

[24][25][26] Actual revenue for 2008 and 2009 failed to meet the projections and necessitated Governor Tim Kaine to reduce state funding of transportation, higher education, and other services.