Today, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted
unanimously to extend the contract of County Executive Jeffrey V.
Smith to June 30, 2013. Smith’s initial one-year contract was set
to expire in August.
Today, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to extend the contract of County Executive Jeffrey V. Smith to June 30, 2013. Smith’s initial one-year contract was set to expire in August. As county executive, Smith oversees a $4 billion budget, which includes all services, operations, capital improvements and reserves and more than 15,000 employees. The $2.2 billion general fund budget reflects discretionary and many mandated public services.
“Jeff has brought bold, innovative leadership to the county,” said Supervisor Ken Yeager, president of the Board of Supervisors. “He has worked closely with the board to refocus the organization on its core mission and to lead the staff through a new budget formulation process to streamline costs while preserving services.”
Smith took the helm in September 2009. He brought a message of mission-driven commitment to excellence and customer service, drawing heavily on successes from private industry. Smith invited broad participation from staff and community partners in examining budget priorities and finding solutions to address a $223 million revenue shortfall as outlined in the 2011 recommended budget.
In addition, one of Smith’s top priorities has been to analyze the finances and operations of Valley Medical Center. His goal is to ensure that the hospital is in a position to address the changes that will result from health care reform.
Smith also has established a new Center of Leadership and Transformation, beginning with training of mid-level managers who play critical roles in overseeing day-to-day operations. The training will be expanded to encompass a core group of executive managers and all staff as well. The goal of this “think tank” experience is to use action learning tools so that employees can examine not only how they perform their specific responsibilities, but how to help transform county operations as a whole.
“There are many challenges ahead,” said Smith. “However, I am confident that with the programs we are putting in place, the policy direction from the board, and input from employees and community partners, we will be able to address them successfully. Santa Clara County will be the model county in the nation.”
Smith earned a Juris Doctor degree from Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley and has been a member of the California State Bar since 1989. In 1980, he graduated from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, as a medical doctor and has been certified by the American Board of Family Medicine since 1985. His undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in biology was earned in 1976 at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. He is married to Cynthia Ashbrook, M.D., and has four children Joshua, 32, Kellie, 28, Genevieve, 14 and Nicole, 11. He also has a 2-year-old grandson named William.
