{"id":5680,"date":"2026-04-01T20:49:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T20:49:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/?p=5680"},"modified":"2026-04-24T18:40:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T18:40:54","slug":"in-memory-of-our-founder-ken-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/uncategorized\/in-memory-of-our-founder-ken-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"In Memory of Our Founder Ken Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5680\" class=\"elementor elementor-5680\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd5c6e1 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dd5c6e1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ecdbf0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0ecdbf0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">In Memory of Our Founder Ken Smith<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ca3f4b e-grid e-con-full wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ca3f4b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ce348d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2ce348d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-145b74e elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"145b74e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-user-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 104c-53 0-96 43-96 96s43 96 96 96 96-43 96-96-43-96-96-96zm0 144c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48s21.5-48 48-48 48 21.5 48 48-21.5 48-48 48zm0-240C111 8 0 119 0 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S385 8 248 8zm0 448c-49.7 0-95.1-18.3-130.1-48.4 14.9-23 40.4-38.6 69.6-39.5 20.8 6.4 40.6 9.6 60.5 9.6s39.7-3.1 60.5-9.6c29.2 1 54.7 16.5 69.6 39.5-35 30.1-80.4 48.4-130.1 48.4zm162.7-84.1c-24.4-31.4-62.1-51.9-105.1-51.9-10.2 0-26 9.6-57.6 9.6-31.5 0-47.4-9.6-57.6-9.6-42.9 0-80.6 20.5-105.1 51.9C61.9 339.2 48 299.2 48 256c0-110.3 89.7-200 200-200s200 89.7 200 200c0 43.2-13.9 83.2-37.3 115.9z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-294ef16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"294ef16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Scott Cook<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bfd8a2 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6bfd8a2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d99b1d6 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"d99b1d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-533fd44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"533fd44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">April 1, 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-521df75 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"521df75\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43aee44 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"43aee44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-clock\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm0 448c-110.5 0-200-89.5-200-200S145.5 56 256 56s200 89.5 200 200-89.5 200-200 200zm61.8-104.4l-84.9-61.7c-3.1-2.3-4.9-5.9-4.9-9.7V116c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h32c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v141.7l66.8 48.6c5.4 3.9 6.5 11.4 2.6 16.8L334.6 349c-3.9 5.3-11.4 6.5-16.8 2.6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fe8623 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0fe8623\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">8:49pm<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49aea95 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"49aea95\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17628f4 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"17628f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-comment-dots\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M144 208c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32 32-14.3 32-32-14.3-32-32-32zm112 0c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32 32-14.3 32-32-14.3-32-32-32zm112 0c-17.7 0-32 14.3-32 32s14.3 32 32 32 32-14.3 32-32-14.3-32-32-32zM256 32C114.6 32 0 125.1 0 240c0 47.6 19.9 91.2 52.9 126.3C38 405.7 7 439.1 6.5 439.5c-6.6 7-8.4 17.2-4.6 26S14.4 480 24 480c61.5 0 110-25.7 139.1-46.3C192 442.8 223.2 448 256 448c141.4 0 256-93.1 256-208S397.4 32 256 32zm0 368c-26.7 0-53.1-4.1-78.4-12.1l-22.7-7.2-19.5 13.8c-14.3 10.1-33.9 21.4-57.5 29 7.3-12.1 14.4-25.7 19.9-40.2l10.6-28.1-20.6-21.8C69.7 314.1 48 282.2 48 240c0-88.2 93.3-160 208-160s208 71.8 208 160-93.3 160-208 160z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b12aadd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b12aadd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">No Comments<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-441ca3f e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"441ca3f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c3536e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3c3536e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Seattle, WA \u2013 March 26, 2026<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 It is with profound sadness that SmartPlug Systems announces the passing of Ken Smith, Founder of SmartPlug Systems and a visionary force in marine and RV electrical safety. Ken passed away on March 16, 2026. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter, one defined by ingenuity, determination, and an unwavering commitment to safety.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d441d66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d441d66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ken brought more than 40 years of experience in the marine industry to SmartPlug. As founder and longtime owner of Ocean Marine, a Seattle-based boat rebuilding company, he spent the last eight years of that career repairing yachts that had been devastated by fire, and time and again the culprit was the same: a faulty shore power connection. Where others saw an unavoidable recurrent situation, Ken saw a solvable problem.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5c5771 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f5c5771\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9212f50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9212f50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1015\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/winner-e1785887110490.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5686\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/winner-e1785887110490.png 1015w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/winner-e1785887110490-600x346.png 600w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/winner-e1785887110490-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/winner-e1785887110490-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/winner-e1785887110490-768x443.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1015px) 100vw, 1015px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6521585 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6521585\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0263e9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0263e9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In late 2007, starting with nothing more than a pencil sketch, he set out to design a better plug built from the ground up for the marine environment, incorporating every safety and reliability improvement he could envision. What followed was remarkable: in less than 14 months, Ken took his concept from initial sketch to a finished product on the market. In March 2009, SmartPlug Systems introduced its first marine shore power product to the U.S. market, the 30 Amp Inlet and Connector.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c559b1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c559b1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The product replaced a twist-type shore power standard that had been in use essentially unchanged since 1938. His SmartPlug design addressed the root causes of marine electrical fires: loose connections, corrosion, and overheating. With its straight-in sleeved design, triple weatherproof seals, multi-point locking system, and significantly greater metal-to-metal electrical contact than traditional connectors, SmartPlug became a new standard in shore power safety.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25207ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"25207ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ken founded SmartPlug Systems LLC in November 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Under his leadership as Founder and CEO, the company earned ETL and ETL Marine test certifications, ABYC E-11 standard compliance, and U.S. Coast Guard certification. SmartPlug products were approved for sale through the federal GSA Advantage program, and the company formed OEM relationships with leading marine manufacturers. The innovation Ken pioneered drew widespread industry recognition, including the Emerging Manufacturer of the Year Award from Seattle Business magazine in 2011. Smartplug continues to gain recognition for its novel designs, winning the top Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2026. \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ea9d9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ea9d9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Today SmartPlug products are installed as original equipment by over 120 boat\u00a0manufacturers and over 50 RV manufacturers, with a broad aftermarket presence; a remarkable legacy that began with Ken\u2019s original pencil sketch which hangs in the SmartPlug offices as a reminder of his original mission.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b4da4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6b4da4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>SmartPlug was truly a family endeavor. Multiple members of the Smith and Austin families contributed to building the company over the years, a reflection of how deeply Ken\u2019s passion for the work inspired those closest to him.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09a908b e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"09a908b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19b777f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"19b777f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"695\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pose.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5687\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pose.jpeg 695w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pose-600x884.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pose-64x94.jpeg 64w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pose-204x300.jpeg 204w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 695px) 100vw, 695px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3d2321 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d3d2321\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd50f57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bd50f57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ken stepped back from day-to-day involvement at SmartPlug in later years, with the company continuing to grow under subsequent leadership. But his original vision remains the foundation upon which everything SmartPlug has built rests.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-495aac3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"495aac3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>He is survived by his wife, Lynn Austin, and Ken\u2019s sons, Aaron and Matt Smith and other beloved family members.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffa3eda e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ffa3eda\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-267d141 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"267d141\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/head-shot.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-5688\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/head-shot.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/head-shot-600x402.jpg 600w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/head-shot-64x43.jpg 64w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/head-shot-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/head-shot-768x515.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-909893a e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"909893a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7dbd8a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7dbd8a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Contact:<br \/><\/strong>SmartPlug Systems LLC<br \/>2500 Westlake Ave. N, Ste. G<br \/>Seattle, WA 98109<br \/>206-285-2990<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Memory of Our Founder Ken Smith Scott Cook April 1, 2026 8:49pm No Comments Seattle, WA \u2013 March 26, 2026\u00a0\u2013 It is with profound sadness that SmartPlug Systems announces the passing of Ken Smith, Founder of SmartPlug Systems and a visionary force in marine and RV electrical safety. Ken passed away on March 16, 2026. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter, one defined by ingenuity, determination, and an unwavering commitment to safety. Ken brought more than 40 years of experience in the marine industry to SmartPlug. As founder and longtime owner of Ocean Marine, a Seattle-based boat rebuilding company, he spent the last eight years of that career repairing yachts that had been devastated by fire, and time and again the culprit was the same: a faulty shore power connection. Where others saw an unavoidable recurrent situation, Ken saw a solvable problem. In late 2007, starting with nothing more than a pencil sketch, he set out to design a better plug built from the ground up for the marine environment, incorporating every safety and reliability improvement he could envision. What followed was remarkable: in less than 14 months, Ken took his concept from initial sketch to a finished product on the market. In March 2009, SmartPlug Systems introduced its first marine shore power product to the U.S. market, the 30 Amp Inlet and Connector. The product replaced a twist-type shore power standard that had been in use essentially unchanged since 1938. His SmartPlug design addressed the root causes of marine electrical fires: loose connections, corrosion, and overheating. With its straight-in sleeved design, triple weatherproof seals, multi-point locking system, and significantly greater metal-to-metal electrical contact than traditional connectors, SmartPlug became a new standard in shore power safety. Ken founded SmartPlug Systems LLC in November 2007 in Seattle, Washington. Under his leadership as Founder and CEO, the company earned ETL and ETL Marine test certifications, ABYC E-11 standard compliance, and U.S. Coast Guard certification. SmartPlug products were approved for sale through the federal GSA Advantage program, and the company formed OEM relationships with leading marine manufacturers. The innovation Ken pioneered drew widespread industry recognition, including the Emerging Manufacturer of the Year Award from Seattle Business magazine in 2011. Smartplug continues to gain recognition for its novel designs, winning the top Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2026. \u00a0 Today SmartPlug products are installed as original equipment by over 120 boat\u00a0manufacturers and over 50 RV manufacturers, with a broad aftermarket presence; a remarkable legacy that began with Ken\u2019s original pencil sketch which hangs in the SmartPlug offices as a reminder of his original mission. SmartPlug was truly a family endeavor. Multiple members of the Smith and Austin families contributed to building the company over the years, a reflection of how deeply Ken\u2019s passion for the work inspired those closest to him. Ken stepped back from day-to-day involvement at SmartPlug in later years, with the company continuing to grow under subsequent leadership. But his original vision remains the foundation upon which everything SmartPlug has built rests. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Austin, and Ken\u2019s sons, Aaron and Matt Smith and other beloved family members. Contact:SmartPlug Systems LLC2500 Westlake Ave. N, Ste. GSeattle, WA 98109206-285-2990<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8905,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5680"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8906,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5680\/revisions\/8906"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8905"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.smartplug.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<!-- This website is optimized by Airlift. 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