Chief Executive, Chair
Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc.
In 1977, Eric Smidt co-founded Calabasas-based Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc. as a mail order business. The company has grown to become America’s leading tool store with about 1600 stores and 30,000 team members nationwide. Smidt has served as chief executive since 1999. Smidt also founded and chairs The Smidt Foundation. The foundation’s flagship initiative is Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, supporting the reinvigoration of skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. Each year, the Foundation awards $1.5 million to 25 outstanding skilled trades teachers and their high schools. The foundation’s other giving includes a $50 million grant to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 2018 to establish the Smidt Heart Institute and $5 million to support wildfire relief efforts.
YEARS ON LA500: 8
