Mike Smith Excited to be “Back Home Again in Indiana”
Mike Smith was named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) in April 2023. Prior to that time, he spent almost eight years serving as CFO with the State of Oregon Employment Department.
The Indiana native, who has lived in six different states (some more than once) and was born in the same Beech Grove hospital as his father, is excited about coming “home” to a place where he can invest in and support Hoosiers.
“I haven’t lived in Indiana since the first grade, but I have a lot of connections here,” he said. “My Aunt Velma owned and operated what is now called Pleasant View Orchard in Fairland; I have uncles who were a big part of football and basketball at Franklin Central High School; and I’m a descendent of the founders of the town of Wanamaker.”
He also recently bought a house that is approximately one mile from his childhood home.
Smith is an experienced executive level leader with an extensive knowledge of state and Federal laws. His 10 years of previous state government experience also includes serving as CFO/Controller of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange where he was instrumental in the awarding of a $226 million federal grant.
Prior to state government, Smith held various financial leadership positions in the private industry sector for more than 15 years, including work with David Evans and Associates, Inc., where he was responsible for the financial operations of 17 offices. He also worked briefly in the non-profit sector at Cru in Orlando where he coordinated the annual budget for U.S. operations.
“It’s the people, my family and this agency that drew me back here,” Smith said.
“With DWD, my general objective is to help us operate as one.”
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Pensacola Christian College and a Master of Business Administration degree with an accounting concentration from Liberty University.
In recent times, Smith, who has a passion for cars and enjoys spending free time with family, served as vice chair of the Administration and Finance Committee for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (2019-20 association year) and chair of that same committee in both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 association years.
Smith cares deeply about staff. “I don’t care what your title is, we’re one big machine, and all work is important,” he said. “I’ve gone out of my way my entire career to make everyone feel welcome and appreciated and that’s what I plan to do here as well.”