His Excellency the Governor, Mr. William Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO acting on the advice of the Public Service Commission (PSC), has approved the acting appointment of Ms. Arlene Smith to the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works.

Ms. Smith whose appointment is effective August 31 holds a Masters of Education Degree in Educational Management from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom in 1999 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1992.  Ms. Smith also holds a Level 5 Diploma in Management and a Level 7 Executive Diploma in Strategic Management with the Chartered Management Institute, United Kingdom and a Certificate in Public Management from York University, Canada.

Ms. Smith joined the Teaching Service as a Grade IV Teacher in 1992.  She was transferred to the Public Service as an Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture in July, 2003 and was subsequently appointed to act as Deputy Secretary in June 2007.  Ms. Smith was transferred to the Deputy Governor’s Office and promoted to the post of Deputy Secretary in November 2007.  She also acted in the post of Permanent Secretary on several occasions, the most recent period being March 8 to August 16.