Robert Smet, Mpa, Cprp Email & Phone Number

Henrico, Virginia, United States

Manage and oversee the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) education, creative services, publication, and public relations functions.Plan, develop, organize, and conduct education and information recruitment, retention, and reactivation programs designed to increase public awareness, participation, and enjoyment of hunting, fishing, boating, shooting sports, habitat enhancement, and wildlife watching.Member of Director’s Working Group. Collaborate and work in concert with other divisions to achieve agency objectives. Maintain and foster critical relationships with state and federal resource agencies and elected officials, non-governmental organizations, department staff, Virginia municipalities, and other key stakeholders to support agency mission.Reorganized and aligned division reporting structure to increase accountability and improve performance.Accomplishments2023 State Fish and Wildlife Agency of the Year - Congressional Sportsman Foundation

Manage human resources, administration, finance, recreation, planning, construction, and maintenance division directors supervising 400+ FT, PT, and seasonal employees. Plan, coordinate, and direct parks and recreation activities, including program development, capital projects, environmental education, communications and marketing, conservation and sustainability initiatives, and alternative revenue stream creation. Management oversight of entire agency supporting 7,000,000 park visits and serving over 370,000 program participants annually.Maintain and foster critical relationships with Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, County Administration, elected officials, Richmond Region Tourism, surrounding municipalities, Richmond area Chambers of Commerce, cosponsored organizations, foundations, non-profits, and other key stakeholders.Create an exceptional quality of life for central Virginia citizens through the provision of engaging facilities, amenities, and experiences.Work collaboratively with state and county officials/agencies to respond to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and drive county initiatives. Accomplishments2021 NRPA/AAPRA Gold Medal Award Finalist2020 NACPRO Removing Barriers Initiative Award – Adaptive Archery and Kayaking 2020 NACPRO Class I Award – Rec N Roll Mobile Playground 2020 EventsMakers Magazine – River City Sportsplex Top US outdoor sports destination

Chesterfield County, Va

Parks and Recreation Department - Provide management oversight of sports tourism, environmental education, athletics, marketing and social media, outdoor adventure experiences, community recreation centers, 50+ programs, therapeutic recreation, historical programs, sites and facilities, and special events. Member of the Department’s Senior Administrative Lead Team who plans, coordinates, and directs the countywide parks and recreation activities, including capital projects, parks operations, Chesterfield County Public Schools grounds and facility maintenance, and all recreational activities. Heads department accreditation team. Responsible for managing grant funded projects and alternative revenue stream creation. Maintain and foster critical relationships with cosponsored organizations, foundations, and other key stakeholders.Accomplishments2018 CAPRA Accreditation - September2018 NACo Award Winner – River City Sportsplex Operational Overhaul

Chesterfield County, Virginia

Parks and Recreation Department - Responsible for the department’s financial management, including budgeting, purchasing, accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, grants management, and multi-year financial planning. Manage internal and external audits. $12M annual operating budget, $44M five-year capital improvement budget, 111 FT staff, 38 PT, 140 Seasonal staff, 6 million annual park visitors.Accomplishments2017 NACo Award Winner – Archery Program2017 Designation as a Playful City USA

Chesterfield County, Va

Parks and Recreation Department - Rockwood Nature Center - Oversee all operations of nature center including budgeting, animal care, educational programs, maintenance, and exhibits. Responsible for staff, contract instructor, and volunteer supervision. Direct business development, marketing, school outreach, and program development. Trails system development and volunteer liaison for department.

Richmond, Va

Manage capital improvement projects at all company locations. Supervise bi-lingual maintenance crews. Oversee farm operations.

Mooresville, Nc

Supervised human resources, administration, construction, dredging, engineering, environmental, and marketing division directors managing 110 FT, PT employees. Budget creation and approval, contract approval, business development, drafting of company protocols and policies.Tasked with regulatory permitting of projects in the eastern United States. Establish, oversee, and foster all consulting client relationships. Negotiate on company’s behalf in interactions with state and federal regulatory agencies of jurisdiction. Establish strategic direction for consulting portfolio - drive expansion of division. AccomplishmentsIncreased the consulting client base by 600% within twenty months of being hired

Badin, Nc And Alcoa, Tn

Led team of engineers, attorneys, consultants, and staff to complete NEPA analysis of Project impacts on public recreation, RTE species, cultural resources, and shoreline management issues impacting over $2B in generation assets and tens of thousands of citizens in multiple states. Draft NEPA documents for Project licensing and shoreline management plan implementation. Ensure compliance with all natural resources, endangered species, land, cultural resources, and public recreation related articles of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Licenses for Alcoa’s hydroelectric Projects. Create annual budgets, issue purchase orders, and monitor invoicing function for multiple consultants.Managed over 60,000 acres of property at multiple Alcoa locations in the eastern United States. Responsible for budgeting, property acquisition, appraisals, development of public recreation facilities, leases, easements, conservation easements, remediation of impacted properties, wildlife management, stakeholder issues resolution, forestry, and land sales.AccomplishmentsNational Hydropower Association – Outstanding Steward of America’s Rivers 2005 Award winnerNational Parks Conservation Association – Corporate Award WinnerLow Impact Hydropower Institute Certification – Tapoco Project

Badin, Nc

Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. - Draft and implement shoreline management plan for 500 miles of reservoir shorelines of FERC Licensed hydropower Project P-2197. Ensure License compliance with environmental related articles of Project License. Negotiate with federal and state agencies, public image enhancement, undeveloped property management, wildlife management, forestry.

Richmond, Va And New London, Nc

Dominion Capital - Responsible for Old North State Management Company compliance with environmental regulations related to infrastructure development and project build out. Manage environmental concerns, agency relations, and monitor compliance with state and federal requirements for development projects. Project management, property maintenance, security, and community association management. Negotiate reservoir access issues with FERC Licensee. Supervised administrative, security, and architectural review staff.AccomplishmentsOld North State Club certified as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

Master Of Public Administration - Mpa, L. Douglas Wilder School Of Government And Public Affairs

Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate In Public Management, L. Douglas Wilder School Of Government And Public Affairs

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Geography

Activities and Societies: Institute for Environmental Studies Certification