HomeMy WebLinkAboutCeil Smith Retires
Contact: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications & Marketing Director
Phone 952-833-9520 • Fax 952-826-0389 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Assistant to the City Manager to retire Nov. 15
Edina, Minn., Nov. 10, 2011 – Assistant to the City Manager Cecilia “Ceil” Smith will retire from
the City of Edina Tuesday, Nov. 15, after more than three decades of service to the community.
Smith holds bachelor’s and masters degrees from the University of Arkansas. Before joining the City,
Smith worked at the University of Vermont in Extension Services. After six years in Vermont, she
moved back to her home of St. Louis.
“The jobs outlook in St. Louis was poor. Then I remembered someone saying to come here, (to
Minnesota),” Smith said.
She moved to Minneapolis and within one week of moving, she saw an ad for employment with the
City of Edina. She applied immediately and, four weeks later, became a City employee.
Smith started work with the City Nov. 14, 1977, as the Volunteer Coordinator of the Edina Senior
Center at its former location on York Avenue just south of the library. She helped coordinate
volunteer drivers to give rides to the seniors in need.
Smith later became the City’s Human Services Coordinator. In 1985, Smith took the position of
Assistant to the City Manager, where she stayed until retirement.
“Ceil has had a long and successful career in Edina,” City Manager Scott Neal said. “She’s taken on a
variety of tasks for the City, and performed them all admirably for more than 30 years. I think we
owe her a debt of gratitude for her faithfulness and her dedication.”
Since joining the City staff, Smith earned a certificate from the University of Minnesota in Public
Sector Human Resources and has more than 100 hours of continuing legal education from the
Minnesota Bar Association.
Smith has been actively involved in a number of professional associations and organizations during
her career in public service, including International City Managers Association, LOGIS Health
Insurance Committee, Metro Area Urban Management Assistants, Minnesota Public Employer Labor
Relations Association, Minnesota Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA), Society of Human
Resource Management and Twin Cities Area Labor Management Council. She is a past president of
Metro Area Urban Management Assistants and Minnesota PRIMA.
An open house to celebrate Smith’s career will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, in the lobby of
Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St. The public is welcome to attend.
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