Sprout Spotlight: Michael Smith, Building Innovation, Sustainability, and eCommerce from the Ground Up

At Sprout, our strongest advantage isn’t just our platform or processes; it’s the people who bring them to life. Today, we’re spotlighting Michael Smith, a leader whose creativity, initiative, and unwavering commitment to sustainability have shaped some of Sprout’s most impactful programs.

Michael joined Sprout at a pivotal moment, when the company was still young, and its eCommerce presence hadn’t been built yet. Instead of seeing the gap as a challenge, he saw it as an opportunity. 

“When I first learned about Sprout, it was a young company without an established eCommerce presence, which I saw as an exciting challenge,” he says. “With my background in ITAD, I knew we could build that function from the ground up and maximize the reuse value of products while expanding Sprout’s reach.” 

What resonated with him immediately was Sprout’s commitment to sustainability and reuse. “I’ve always been passionate about environmental sustainability, and I loved that Sprout focused on reusing and reselling electronics rather than simply recycling them. Giving products a second life while benefiting both the planet and our customers really resonated with me.” 

Michael has worn several hats since joining Sprout, from General Manager to Sales Executive to Senior Manager of eCommerce. What keeps him excited? The pace of innovation. 

“ITAD is still a relatively new and evolving industry. We’re not just following a playbook; we’re writing it. That level of innovation and ownership keeps me energized every day.”

One initiative he’s especially proud of is Sprout’s Employee Purchase Program (EPP), which allows clients to offer retired assets back to employees at a discounted rate. “It’s been a win-win, promoting sustainability, extending device lifecycles, and building customer loyalty.”

Michael’s team has also built Sprout’s B2C sales program from the ground up. They fully integrated all sales platforms into a unified system connected directly to Sprout’s Smart ERP, giving customers a seamless, data-driven experience. “People often assume sales is purely transactional,” he says. “But at Sprout, it’s about partnership, innovation, and giving customers transparency and results they can trust.” 

Outside of work, Michael’s energy doesn’t slow down. He’s traveled to 12 countries and 18 national parks, and he’s far from done. He’s also a big ice hockey fan and player (Go Washington Capitals!) and once played in a regional East Coast band with music videos and an EP.

As a leader, he’s inspired by seeing people grow into their potential. “I’ve been in their shoes before, so helping others succeed is deeply rewarding. Sprout offers endless growth opportunities, and watching that play out motivates me every day.”

Since joining Sprout, Michael says he’s grown by learning to lean into opportunity and take initiative. “At Sprout, you truly help shape what the company becomes, and that sense of ownership has been a major driver of my personal and professional growth.”

Looking ahead, he’s excited about Sprout’s expansion into multiple facilities and international markets. He sees huge potential in bringing Sprout’s eCommerce capabilities to new regions and continuing to innovate in how the company serves customers.

If he had to capture Sprout’s culture in one word, it would be trust. “It’s the foundation of everything we do, trust within our teams, and trust from our customers who rely on us to handle their sensitive assets responsibly.”

Michael’s story is a reminder that Sprout’s greatest impact comes from the people who build, shape, and elevate it every day, one innovative idea at a time.