Newport Beach Assistant City Manager Dana Smith has announced she will retire on August 3.
City Manager Dave Kiff said, “Dana brought a wealth of knowledge and a depth of management experience to Newport Beach that will be very difficult to match. Her expertise in organizational development has been particularly helpful as we’ve been thoughtfully changing the shape of our organization’s structure and addressing budgetary issues. Dana has a gift for leading people through change.”
Smith’s 30-year career in local government has taken her to a number of cities and agencies throughout California. She joined Newport Beach in July 2010. She previously served as the assistant city manager for the city of Napa, where she was responsible for the city’s suite of development services. Prior to Napa, she was assistant city manager and community development director for the city of Chula Vista. Before joining Chula Vista, Dana was the executive officer for the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission 10 years where she oversaw the formation of three cities and the consolidation of over 20 special districts.
After taking time off to relax and travel, Smith will consult on a part-time basis for a company called CEO2, Creating Extraordinary Organizations. CEO2 works with private companies from the C Suites down through organizations to improve performance, business practices, and ultimately the return on investment – Smith’s areas of expertise.
“Dave Kiff asked me what I would tell people about Newport Beach after I leave,” Smith said. “I learned that the great work we do here - to deliver extraordinary services, projects and programs for our residents and businesses - is what cities were intended to do. The engaged citizenry, combined with this organization’s willingness and ability to address a host of public policy decisions – sets the direction and guides important standards that contribute to Newport’s quality of life. It’s a special place with special people.”
Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and a Master’s degree in City Planning from San Diego State University. She holds a Certificate for Executives in State and Local Government from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.