HALL of FAME 2021 INDUCTEES

MacLaurin Smith-Williams

Known to faculty and students as simply “Mac,” the older brother of the late actor/comedian Robin Williams began his teaching career after graduating from Rhodes College in 1969. His first position was teaching at Holly Springs High School in Mississippi, where he commuted daily from his home in Memphis. In 1978, he joined the faculty at Christian Brothers High School, where he taught physics and transformed an old-fashioned laboratory into a state-of-the art science facility. Described as a person “with no end to his quest for knowledge,” Mac retired in June 2019 at age 72.

After excelling in math at CBHS, Chris earned a degree in finance from UT-Knoxville and began a lifetime in banking, beginning with United American Bank, First Tennessee, and Chase Manhattan in Atlanta. In 1992, he moved to New York City, where he was involved in mergers that produced JPMorgan Chase. After taking a leadership role with Barclays Capital, Chris returned to Knoxville, serving as the city’s chief financial officer alongside his longtime friend, Mayor Bill Haslam. In 2009 he founded SteelRiver Infrastructure Partners, with offices in San Francisco and New York City. He’s currently working to bring the Tennessee Smokies AA baseball team to Knoxville.

After graduating from CBHS, Sam attended the University of Arkansas and returned to Memphis, involved in everything from land surveying to retail sales. A chance encounter in the lobby of the 100 North Main Building led to a marketing job with Memphis Title Company. In 1981, he became president of Stewart Title Company, a position he held for 25 years (where he was named “Magnificent Manager” 20 times), and was eventually appointed state manager and later district manager. Over his long career he has served on the boards of the Home Builders Association of Memphis, Memphis Area Association of Builders, and Mortgage Bankers Association.

At CBHS, Clay served as class officer and student government association treasurer, competed on the wrestling team, and earned membership in the National Honor Society. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Christian Brothers College and an MBA from Dowling College. He has spent 18 years with FedEx, currently serving as manager of aircraft maintenance quality assurance. He also holds the title of FedEx Lean Black Belt and Quality Driven Management Expert in Continuous Improvement. Always involved in the community, his board memberships include St. Dominic School, Christian Brothers University, the Phoenix Club of Memphis, and the Commission on Missing and Exploited Children.