Smith to retire as KDP executive director

Committee formed to find a successor

  • Tuesday, February 19, 2019 8:20pm
  • Business
Barbara Smith. COURTESY PHOTO

Barbara Smith. COURTESY PHOTO

Barbara Smith announced Tuesday that she is retiring at the end of July as executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership.

“I feel that I have done all that I can to move Kent Downtown Partnership forward,” Smith said in a statement. “It is time to bring in someone new with new energy and added skill sets, especially social media skills.”

The KDP has formed a hiring committee in hopes of hiring Smith’s successor with Main Street knowledge, along with other skills that meet the organization’s new goals.

Smith enjoyed her 10 years as KDP leader.

“I have loved my job, the people, the businesses and especially the board and Jodi, my administrative assistant,” Smith said. “Never have I worked for such a great group of people, or a group that is so passionate about their goals; improving things in the historic downtown. There is great leadership on our board, and we are excited about our new president, Jeff Middleton, and the leadership he is providing to advance KDP’s efforts to vitalize the downtown.

“We want our businesses to be successful, we want our new neighbors (apartments) to feel this is their home, too. Not only are our businesses in downtown vested, we want our newly formed Downtown Neighborhood Association to know we are all in this together.”

Smith will miss working with those who make a difference in the community.

“There are so many wonderful stories, but the ones I enjoy the most are the ones where we had the opportunity to work with other nonprofits, service clubs, the city of Kent and all their departments, to accomplish our goals,” she said. “In some cases, they were shared goals, such as the historic plaques in downtown, lighting of the Meeker Street overpass. Way too many to start naming.”

Smith’s last fundraiser for the KDP is April 6 at the Kent Senior Activity Center. Sponsorships are available and donations are always welcomed.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Business

t
Kent man among 40 Under 40 honorees by Puget Sound Business Journal

Andy Song, 33, works as chief operating officer at Kids and Family Counseling

Black Press Media operates Sound Publishing, the largest community news organization in Washington State with dailies and community news outlets in Alaska.
Black Press Media concludes transition of ownership

Black Press Media, which operates Sound Publishing, completed its sale Monday (March 25), following the formerly announced corporate restructuring.

t
New Kent international market holds grand opening on West Hill

Queen Safa Market and Deli open at 23424 on Pacific Highway S.

File photo
Boeing has 90 days to create comprehensive action plan, says FAA

The FAA continues its investigation into the flight that depressurized because of a door malfunction

t
Curry Pizza House opens first Washington location in Kent

Restaurant on the East Hill along 104th Avenue SE

A test rollout Feb. 21 of Kent-based Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral, Florida. COURTESY PHOTO, Blue Origin
Kent-based Blue Origin debuts New Glenn rocket in Florida

Successful rollout at Cape Canaveral launch pad

The Kaiser Permanente Kent Medical Center on the East Hill. COURTESY PHOTO, Kaiser Permanente
Still no timeline on new Kent Kaiser Permanente facility

Company bought the former Kmart property in 2020

t
Kent food distribution warehouse changes name to Pacific Coast Fresh Company

Similar to Pacific Coast Fruit name but signifies products beyond produce by Portland-based business

t
Renton Village Starbucks files petition to unionize

Workers at the Grady Way location said they are unionizing due to multiple factors

t
Muckleshoot Tribe’s new luxury Auburn hotel tower celebrates grand opening

The 18-story, 401-room tower looms large over city; casino began in tent in 1995

t
Minimum wage initiative: Renton community members discuss misconceptions

Renton voters will decide Feb. 13 whether to implement one the highest minimum wages in the country