David M. Smith. Courtesy photo
CAMARILLO — David M. Smith, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Ventura County since October 2001, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 15, 2014, the organization reported Monday in a media release.
A search for Smith’s successor will begin in the coming weeks, said Thomas S. Cohen, chairman of United Way’s board of directors.
“Dave Smith has brought significant value to the United Way organization and Ventura County for nearly 13 years,” Cohen said. “He will be difficult to replace.”
Smith joined United Way after a 30-year newspaper career, including 10 years with the Ventura County Star newspapers. He has served on numerous non-profit boards across the county over the past 20 years.
During his tenure with United Way he is credited with a leadership role in the development of the county’s 2-1-1 social service hotline – the first in the state in February 2005 – the establishment of UWVC’s web-based VolunteerVenturaCounty.org network, the United Women’s Leadership Council, the Young Leaders Society and numerous community-based social service partnerships. He is a past chair of 2-1-1 California and is a member of the Executive Board of United Ways of California.
Smith and his wife, Susan, plan to relocate to Lexington, KY., later this year.