Howard is a 1971 graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and is an alumni member of the Alpha Gamma Rho National Fraternity. He retired from banking in 2012 after a 42 year career, mostly as a credit review officer and financial analyst.

L.W. Smith, a Vietnam veteran and the leading supporter of a historic book of daily devotions for the U.S. military, was elected chairman of the newly organized non-denominational Strength for Service Board of Directors, meeting Sept. 26-27 in Nashville.

A non-denominational Strength for Service board of directors held an organizational meeting Sept. 26-27 in Music City. The nine-member board reviewed the 72-year history of the ministry, adopted mission and vision statements, adopted bylaws, elected officers, approved fulfillment contracts, adopted a price structure for both books, and established a $250,000 budget for 2015.