In 1987, Jack Smith established the Smith Group, a consulting practice that offers management and project development training and technical assistance to public and private organizations. This work has consisted of a wide variety of short-term and long-term projects in training, facilitation, grant writing, program development and organizational development. Jack Smith is the principal consultant.
Since 1997, over 35,000 students in 40 states have attended a full-day training conducted by Jack Smith. Specialized audiences include state and municipal employees, nonprofit staff, nonprofit board members, faith-based staff and board, consumer groups, social workers, mental health professionals, law enforcement, psychologists, nurses, teachers and school administrators.
The Smith Group has secured competitive training contract awards with the governments of New York, Kansas, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and the Cherokee Nation.
Jack Smith teaches grant writing certificate programs offered by several universities including Emory University, University of Georgia, Austin Community College and the University of Southern Maine.
He has presented at numerous national and state conferences including CA Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, National Association of School Nurses, National Association of Drug Court Professionals, US Department of Education and the US Department of Energy.
ADDITIONAL CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
Hornby Zeller Associates, Troy, NY and Portland, ME (1996-1997)
Marketing and management consulting projects for a national research and program evaluation consulting firm that works with public organizations throughout the United States. Conducted field projects in Boulder, CO; Washington, DC and Springfield, IL.
Realty World Corporation, Fairfax, VA (1989-1991)
Management consulting for a national business development company. Provided on-going business planning consulting services to over 50 real estate brokerages in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Conducted management and team building workshops for business owners and managers throughout the Northeast. Facilitated industry trade groups in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
People’s Regional Opportunity Program, Portland, ME (now the Opportunity Alliance)
Director of Housing, Energy and Development
Director of Development
Senior Manager for multi-program social service agency covering Cumberland County. Directly responsible for the management of fuel assistance, weatherization, housing, volunteer, public relations and development departments with annual budget of over $3.2 million and staff of 50.
Highlights included:
• Coordinated all agency fundraising and grant writing.
• Developed and directed planning process for PROP’s “Long Range Plan-1985-90”
• Implemented and directed the publication of PROPeople, a quarterly newspaper with a 15,000 circulation.
• Started agency low-income transportation program.
• Coordination of agency volunteer activities for over 40,000 volunteer hours per year.
• Author of report, The State of the Disadvantaged in Cumberland County – 1985
• Staff support for board committees.
Community Concepts, South Paris, ME 1980-1984
Director of Housing for one of largest nonprofit housing programs in Maine covering Oxford, Franklin and Androscoggin Counties. Supervised 30 staff.
Highlights included:
• Established national self-help weatherization program model. In 1986, this program received awards for innovation from U.S. Dept. of Energy and ME Office of Energy Resources.
• Wrote proposal that was one of 21 housing proposals nationally funded by the U.S. Office of Community Services.
• Designed for-profit energy conservation venture that provided “bundle-up” services to thousands of Central Maine Power Company customers and generated 20% gross profit.
• In 1983, the housing program extensively weatherized and repaired over 700 homes.
• Designed and implemented federally funded low-income housing and weatherization program for Androscoggin County. Tripled production in a year.
Micah Housing Corporation, Portland, ME 1975-1980
Administrator and Resource Developer for a non-profit housing development corporation.
EDUCATION
University of Maine, Orono
Master of Public Administration
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
BOARDS
Member of Board of Trustees for the Portland Public Library (1995-1999)
Chair of Portland Public Library Development Committee and member of Board Executive Committee (1996 – 1999)
Member of Board of Directors of University of Southern Maine Alumni Association (1990 – 1993)
Library Mentor/Advocate for the Libraries for the Future, NY, NY, a national initiative to increase the capacity of library systems across the US. One of 25 mentor/advocates selected nationally. Conducted board trainings in PA, VT and KY. (1998 – 2000)
Member of founding Board of Directors of Community Cable Network, Portland, ME. CCN/Channel 4 is a public service television network supported by the Greater Portland social service community. (1984-1987)
Past Board Member of Housing Initiatives of Fulton County (2000-2003)
Agency received HUD Top 100 National Best Practices Award in 2001