FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday,  September 26,  2006

Contact: Erik Pappa, Director of Public Communications
Phone: (702) 455-3546
Cell: (702) 378-8970
E-mail: epappa@co.clark.nv.us 

  County Manager Names New

Intergovernmental Relations Director

            City of Las Vegas Legislative Officer Sabra Smith-Newby has been selected as the countys new director of Intergovernmental Relations.

            Smith-Newby has been a city legislative officer since March and was a city lobbyist from January through June of 2005, representing the city during the 2005 session of the Nevada Legislature. As such, she tracked legislation, prepared daily lobbying schedules, wrote and delivered testimony and text amendments on the citys behalf, created and updated periodic lobbying reports for city management and facilitated expert testimony from city staff when needed.

            Sabra brings to this position a lot of energy, talent and knowledge about the workings of government, said County Manager Virginia Valentine. Given her background working in the social service arena, Sabra will be a valuable asset as we partner with the state to identify resources and ways to improve the child welfare system.

From April 2004 through March 2006, Smith-Newby was an administrative officer for the citys Neighborhood Services Department, coordinating and managing creation of the departments business plan and goals and aligning them with City Council priorities. She was a senior management analyst with the department from October 2002 through April 2004, performing research and analysis for special projects such as homelessness, performance measurement and code enforcement.

From July 2002 through October 2002, Smith-Newby worked in Chicago as an associate of the firm KPMG, where she performed financial, organizational and process-oriented reviews of government and non-profit clients. Smith Newby has a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government and a bachelors degree with a major in political science from Wellesley College.

The countys Office of Intergovernmental Relations manages the legislative program of the County Commission by seeking enactment of the board's legislative proposals and responding to local, state and federal legislation that could affect the county. The preparation of the legislative program includes the development and analysis of bill draft proposals for consideration by the County Commission prior to submission to the state, interim committee tracking and support, policy and issue analysis and communication of the county's position on legislative issues. The Office of Intergovernmental Relations is also responsible for facilitating and maintaining ongoing interaction between the county and elected local, state and federal officials and their respective staff members.

Todays appointment is subject to ratification by the County Commission on Tuesday. Smith-Newby is expected to start in her new position on Oct. 16.                            

# # # #