Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11:42 a.m.
Mayor Nadine Woodward has appointed a West Point graduate with more than 20 years of human resources experience, including senior leadership positions within three federal agencies, to be the City’s Human Resources department director.
Kris Smith most recently served as the Director of Human Capital for the Criminal Division within the U.S. Department of Justice following service as a Branch Chief for the Employee Relations and Labor Relations functionalities within the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice. She has also held human resources staff-level positions with the U.S. Department of Defense upon completing service as a U.S. Army officer.
“The City is a people business, and Spokane is getting a leader with extensive experience in growing organizations as supportive, inclusive, and desired places to work,” Woodward said. “She has served her country with honor and will be a great addition to our organization.”
Smith’s HR career has included a heavy emphasis in employee and labor relations, performance management and policy writing in high-productive environments. She also served five years in the Army as a logistics officer. Her first day with the City will be Feb. 22 pending confirmation by the City Council on Monday.
Woodward’s appointment of Smith to Human Resources director is her third in the past several weeks to leadership positions. Spencer Gardner, who has been appointed as Planning Director, will also be considered for confirmation by the Council on Monday. Jennifer Cerecedes started as Community, Housing, and Human Services director earlier this month. Recruitment is also expected to begin soon for the Neighborhood, Housing, and Human Services division.
