WRITER

Steven Smith has over 20 years of investment experience with an expert level of options knowledge. This includes over seven years as member of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) during which he acted as market- maker on the trading floor and traded for his personal account.

Steve currently runs the OptionSmith newsletter, contributes to variety of financial websites including Minyanville.com, TradeAlert, an options analytics firms, and is a frequent speaker at industry events.

After leaving the floor in 1998 Steve joined TheStreet.com as the senior option columnist and chief derivatives strategist. In 2004 he created and managed the OptionAlert, a subscription newsletter. During the four year period from its inception of July 2004- July 2008 the portfolio delivered a total return of 73%; this compares to the S&P 500 Index which gained 6.7% during the same time period. The OptionAlert was awarded the MIN "best business newsletter" in 2006.

Steve is a graduate of Emory University. He earned a B.A. in 1987. He currently lives in New York City with his wife and two children.