The same unwavering focus that has taken Keith Smith from his southern roots in Atlanta to positions in human resources for the City of New York and some of the nation’s largest corporate brands, has now led him to the role of founder and CEO of Consortia.

Smith’s interest in the human side of human resources began during his educational years. While still in school in Atlanta, his enthusiasm for helping companies maximize their resources and helping employees successfully navigate corporate structures and career development landed Smith a spot in Marriott International’s manager-in-training program. Marriott sent Smith to New York City where he assisted with the development and opening of three of the international chain’s flagship properties –– the Marriott World Trade Center, the Marriott Financial Center, and the Courtyard by Marriott.

As a business manager for Marriott –– while still in his twenties –– Smith was responsible for identifying licensing and expansion opportunities for the company. “I was proud of having excelled within a short period of time,” Smith says of his five years with Marriott. “I was not only making significant contributions, but developing sound business ethics and strategies for relationship building. That type of experience prepares you for anything.”

In 1998, Smith made the transition to Federated Department Stores (Macy’s East
Corporate Office) –– parent company of Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Rich’s –– where he was a senior executive of licensing. At Federated he identified and brokered licensing opportunities for the retail powerhouse, bringing in some of the nation’s best-known brands, including Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, AT&T Wireless, McDonald’s and Stride Rite.

Tapped by the New York-based celebrity interior designer Courtney Sloane and her studio, Alternative Design (AD), Smith coordinated a human resources package for the celebrity designer’s small business. With Sloane and Alternative Design, Smith had his first taste of his not-too-distant future. As AD’s consultant he was handling contracts, organizational development, compliance and procedure, recruitment and retention, and developing forms and processes. He was the firm’s virtual HR office and he loved it. Sloane remains a loyal client to date.

His work attracted the attention of the City of New York, and Smith was appointed to Commissioner for the Bureau of Human Resources by the New York City Health Commissioner, Thomas R. Frieden, for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Working for one of the largest public health systems in the nation, Smith redeveloped and implemented policies and revamped the department’s entire system, including forms, processes and the recruitment strategy.

In 2004, Smith, eager to take his experiences and passion for human resources management to diverse companies and organizations, founded Consortia. “Consortia is a strategic alliance of professionals who think outside the box,” says Smith of the new venture. “We are a network of human resource consultants able to meet the needs of businesses who are small in size but not in scope or velocity, in terms of growth.”



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