Larry was the CFO of a large multinational corporation; his resppnsibilities also included direct line operating responsibility for the Western Hemisphere. He opted to devote the remainder of his career working in a small town environment with local people. His children all grew up and went to elementary and secondary school in Dundas.

Subsequent consulting services have included medium sized business work out/turn-around assignments.

Before articling with a large accounting firm and obtaining his undergraduate degree at night school Larry completed post-graduate work at three of the top business schools in the world: the Ivey School of Business at Western University (MBA); the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (Strategic Planning), and the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, Evanston(Industrial Marketing). Note that when he was attending Elementary School his Grade 8 teacher advised him to not plan on attending university since no one had ever done so from the poor neighbourhood he grew up in.

Larry has extensive experience and training in accounting, financial management and business consulting, as a former member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA).

Larry also has taught on a part time basis at the business schools of Western (Ivey), Laurentian University (Sudbury) and Fanshawe College

Larry founded the Smithers Group (formerly called the Dundas Professional Group), a long-term business referral alliance of professionals offering services for individuals and small businesses. Members of the Group include one of the largest Canadian banks, a provincial firm of bankruptcy trustees, and professionals across various industries including information technology and financial services.