The board of supervisors voted Wednesday to appoint Smith to the county's top administrative position effective Sept. 1. He will replace former county executive Pete Kutras, who retired last year. Since Kutras retired, interim county executive Gary Graves has taken over the responsibilities of the position, including drafting the recommended 2009-2010 budget.

"After an extensive search process, Dr. Smith emerged as the board's choice," said Supervisor Liz Kniss, president of the Board of Supervisors. "We are impressed by the range of his medical, legal and public policy experience."

Smith currently serves as executive director of the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers, where he is responsible for the leadership, operations and management of the county general acute care hospital, outpatient clinics and detention health services for county jail facilities and the juvenile hall.

"I had an early understanding that public service brought me satisfaction," Smith said. "Throughout my career, I have been committed to providing quality care in the public health system and in playing an active role in shaping policies that lead to better governance."

His salary and terms of his contract are still under negotiation, and will be determined before he begins his new job Sept. 1.

From 1992 to 1996, Smith served on the board of supervisors in Contra Costa County. There he authored the Better Government Ordinance - a local open government plan - allowing local regulation of heavy industry, and promoted program-based budgeting. He also emphasized the importance of the Children's and Families Budget for Contra Costa County.

Smith played a key role in the creation of the Crockett Community Foundation, a local philanthropic program funded by the creation of a cogeneration plant in the area. He also created the County Arts Commission, and dealt with affordable housing issues, consolidation of fire districts, and expansion of the library system.

He also served four years as councilmember for the city of Martinez, where he addressed transportation, downtown revitalization, land use and reorganization of administrative structures.

"I am no stranger to the issues confronting Santa Clara County," Smith said. "There are difficult times ahead and I am confident that the organization has the foundational strength and people to make it through these challenges. I am looking forward to being a 'servant/leader' to the employees and citizens of Santa Clara County."

Smith earned a Juris Doctor degree from Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley and has been a member of the California State Bar since 1989. In 1980, he graduated from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, as a Medical Doctor and has been certified by the American Board of Family Medicine since 1985. His undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in biology was earned in 1976 at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

He is married to Cynthia Ashbrook, M.D., and has four children Joshua, 32, Kellie, 28, Genevieve, 14 and Nicole, 11. He also has a two year old grandson named William.

The county executive serves as the manager of the county's 29 departments and 15,000 employees, providing analytical support, strategic planning,

policy analysis, and budgetary oversight for the county organization.