The board of United Way of Clallam County announced last week the hiring of Christy Smith as the agency’s new chief executive officer.

Smith has been acting CEO of United Way of Clallam County since December 2016. Hired at the United Way as resource development manager in February 2016, Smith has experience in community outreach, campaign management and advocating for education, financial stability and healthy living for everyone, United Way representatives said.

“Christy’s experience and skills fit well with United Way’s goals,” board president George Eastman said. “As resource development manager, she not only hit the ground running and tackling her responsibilities to get our fundraising campaign back on track, she showed excellent leadership abilities. We are looking forward to working with Christy in this role.”

Smith is a graduate of Port Angeles High School and attended Western Washington University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and sports psychology.

Prior to moving back to Clallam County, she lived in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she worked as an advocacy organizer.

Smith led statewide efforts to improve safe walking and bicycling in daily life with an emphasis on to and from school. Her contributions in this role ultimately led to $500,000 in grant money for local communities in federal Safe Routes to School and Transportation Enhancements funds.

As resource development manager, Smith managed the annual fundraising campaign for United Way and its 24 local partner agencies.

This year’s campaign has raised more than $787,000.

United Way of Clallam County is now searching for candidates to fill the role of resource development manager, as well as the bookkeeper position. For more information, email info@unitedwayclallam.org.

For more about United Way of Clallam County, call 457-3011 or see www.unitedwayclallam.org.