OAKLAND COUNTY, Michigan – Doug Smith has been named interim executive director of Workforce Development and Life Long Learning at Oakland Community College (OCC) from senior vice president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
In his new role, Smith will oversee OCC's workforce and professional development programs and continuing education, including the College's leading efforts in Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and Michigan New Jobs Training programs.
"Doug is known state-wide for his ability to monitor economic changes and focus organizational efforts on continued job growth," said OCC Chancellor Timothy Meyer. "As an experienced workforce development executive, we look forward to his contributions leading the training arm of the College and partnering with our expert staff who support companies – big and small – providing a full spectrum of training courses and services."
While at MEDC, Smith collaborated with a statewide network of local and regional economic development partners to implement programs and oversaw state and federal legislative efforts to foster job growth in the state. He was also instrumental in establishing and implementing the governor's 10 prosperity regions and reorganized business and community development, global trade and the defense center.
Previous to his work at MEDC, Smith served as Oakland County's deputy county executive responsible for the county's economic development efforts including industry diversification and commercialization of technology.
Smith currently serves on the Michigan Municipal Services Authority and is a director on the MSG Credit Union, Mayoral appointment on the Pontiac/OU Initiative, and vice-chair of the Oakland County Transportation Roundtable. He holds a master's degree from the University of Michigan in public policy specializing in international economics, and a bachelor's degree in economics and government from Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisconsin).
About OCC
With multi campus system throughout Oakland County, Oakland Community College is committed to providing academic and developmental experiences that allows each student to reach their full potential and enhance the diverse communities they serve. It offers degrees and certificates in approximately 100 career fields and university transfer degrees in business, science and the liberal arts. More than a million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965.
Contact: Bridget M. Kavanaugh | Marketing & Communications | T (248) 341-2020 | bmkavana@oaklandcc.edu