May 8, 1995
Contact: Anne Donovan
(617) 727-9530, x 411

Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (MCZM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Smith as Deputy Director. "Phil's extensive knowledge of coastal issues coupled with his demonstrated management skills make him an ideal fit as the MCZM Deputy Director," emphasized Peg Brady, Director of MCZM. "I look forward to working with him on the coastal issues facing Massachusetts. I am confident in his ability to help all of us at MCZM work well together so that we can continue to play a leading role in developing state coastal policy."

Before coming to MCZM, Mr. Smith served for over 22 years with the Coast Guard in the marine safety and environmental programs. He brings 12 years of program management experience to this position, having served in Coast Guard management roles in Boston, Chicago, and Alaska. Most recently, he served as Hearing Officer at the Coast Guard Atlantic Area Hearing Office in Boston where he was responsible for making penalty decisions on alleged legal violations reported to the Coast Guard. In this position, Mr. Smith received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for his instrumental role in consolidating three Coast Guard Hearing Offices and significantly improving productivity of the hearing process.

Also in Boston, Mr. Smith served as the Deputy Division Chief of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Division. In this position he directed New England maritime programs in safety, environmental protection, and hazardous materials, supervising a staff of 12 and providing policy guidance to the six New England District Offices. He received the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for the management, interpersonal, and administrative skills he demonstrated during the addition of New York and Connecticut to the New England district, which doubled the office's workload.

Through his career with the Coast Guard, Mr. Smith has gained extensive experience in balancing often conflicting views. In particular, he has successfully balanced the desires of recreational users of waterways with the needs of private landowners on those waterways. Through his previous positions, he has also accrued significant knowledge on a variety of coastal topics, including water quality improvement, oil/hazardous materials spill cleanup, and marine debris. Specifically, he served in a supervisor role with the emergency response for the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. In addition, he developed and supervised a long-term project to determine the compliance levels of boat marine sanitation devices on the Great Lakes as part of a water quality improvement effort.

When asked about his new position, Mr. Smith explained that: "These are exciting and challenging times with many significant issues to be addressed that will impact the Commonwealth's coastal resources for years to come. I am grateful for the chance and proud to be part of the MCZM team. I look forward to meeting and working with the many people who share the common goal of preserving and protecting our valuable coastal resource, while maximizing their availability for the enjoyment of all."