Mark J. Smith Appointed Newest WSSC Water Commissioner Representing Prince George’s County

Laurel, Md. – November 16, 2022 – Today, WSSC Water Commissioners welcomed Mark J. Smith as the newest member of the Board of Commissioners. A 22-year veteran of the American Red Cross, Smith was appointed to serve as Commissioner by Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and unanimously approved by the Prince George’s County Council on October 24.

Before joining the American Red Cross, Smith worked for Africare, the largest minority-led development organization focused on rural development in Africa. His 10-year tenure took him to 36 sub-Saharan countries, where he led multi-disciplinary teams focused on maternal and child health, food security, HIV/AIDS programming and numerous post-conflict interventions.  

“My background in disaster relief and rural development in Africa helped reinforce a deep-rooted appreciation for reliable access to safe, clean water,” said Smith. “I look forward to using my experience to ensure we deliver projects that meet the clean-water needs of our customers. WSSC Water employees have been so welcoming to me, and I look forward to supporting them as we work together to fulfill this vital mission. I thank County Executive Alsobrooks and members of the County Council for appointing me to this position.”

Smith currently serves as the Executive Director for Community Engagement and Partnerships at the Washington, DC-based American Red Cross, where he leads a team dedicated to engaging with national, regional and community partners to prepare, respond to and recover from disasters. American Red Cross career highlights include serving as Regional Executive for Oklahoma and Mississippi, Senior Director of Field Operations for the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Program and Regional Director for Africa Programs.

Smith earned his undergraduate degree in International Development from historically black Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and an MBA from George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Smith is the third of three Commissioners representing Prince George’s County. Six Commissioners, three from each county, govern WSSC Water. They are appointed by their respective county executives and confirmed by their county councils. More information on WSSC Water Commissioners is on the Governance page.