WAILEA, Hawaii -- DeMaurice Smith's ties to presidential power and business experts trumped football experience, leading the Washington-based attorney to become the NFL Players Association's new executive director.

With two former union presidents and a high-profile sports attorney also as finalists, NFLPA player representatives instead went with an outsider in electing Smith on Sunday. He succeeds the late Gene Upshaw and guides the players into a critical era that includes negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement in the shadow of an economic meltdown.

"Guys, let's get to work," Smith told the membership.

The 45-year-old Smith was elected on the first ballot by the 32 representatives -- one for each NFL team -- and was introduced to a standing ovation.

Smith's election was first reported by ESPN.com's John Clayton.

"We're behind our new leader and we're ready to forge forward with a united front," Rams offensive lineman Adam Goldberg said. "Mr. Smith is our best option of leading us into the future, and we're proud to be a part of it."

Smith becomes the fourth leader in the union's 41-year history. He has the opportunity to chart a new direction for a union that proved both successful and divisive -- particularly involving the needs of retired players -- under Upshaw, who died in August after a 25-year tenure.

"The men here today made a decision to be unified to take a strong step forward to build upon the leadership of Mr. Upshaw and stand together as a family," Smith said.

Smith was elected by a vote behind closed doors at the posh Fairmont Kea Lani resort on the island of Maui where the union has been meeting. The player reps heard from the four candidates Saturday and once again Sunday, with the finalists providing their closing arguments before the voting began by secret ballot.

The reps emerged with their selection 90 minutes later.

Smith is an NFL outsider who has no labor law experience, but has ties to President Barack Obama and worked with new U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. He's a trial lawyer and partner at the influential Washington-based Patton Boggs, and chair of the firm's government investigations and white-collar practice group. He has represented Fortune 500 companies in numerous cases. A native Washingtonian, Smith earned his law degree at Virginia in 1989, and has been a frequent guest commentator on many cable television news programs.