Louisville City Wire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Today, after more than a year of helping make Louisville a safer, stronger and healthier city, Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that Deputy Mayor Barbara Sexton Smith has decided to “re-wire” and depart from Metro Government on April 15, 2024. The mayor thanked the Deputy Mayor for her positive impact throughout the first year of his administration and celebrated her long-standing commitment to the city of Louisville.  

Sexton Smith was joined by the love of her life Lacey T. Smith for the announcement, sharing her goal for this next adventure is to spend more time doing what she loves most: “life and work with Lacey!” 

“I’ve known Barbara for 20 years and during that time I’ve heard her accurately referred to by a long list of titles including the “energizer bunny”, CEO, rain maker, councilwoman and many more. Most importantly, she’s been an amazing friend to Rachel and me,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Her private and public support has been invaluable and her leadership inspiring. Her time as Deputy Mayor will be cherished and never forgotten, and I look forward to seeing how she continues to make a difference across Louisville.”  

“Serving as Deputy Mayor was an opportunity of a lifetime and now I am ready to step over so I can step into what I love most: Life and work with Lacey,” said Deputy Mayor Barbara Sexton Smith. “Lacey and I have built a great life together, celebrating 30 years just last week, and a beautiful business. I am excited to step into this new adventure – and I am just one call away for the Mayor and his great team.”  

On Dec. 13, 2022, Sexton Smith was named Deputy Mayor by then Mayor-elect Craig Greenberg. After the Greenberg Administration took office in January 2023, Deputy Mayor Sexton Smith organized and led six offices: Office of Philanthropy, Office of Sustainability, Office of Equity, Office for Women; Office for Immigrant Affairs and the Human Relations Commission. 

Through these offices, Sexton Smith provided leadership to develop a universal pre-K implementation plan, oversaw final stages for the 100% Clean Electricity Plan by 2030, activated Racial Equity Ordinance with Impact Statements for all Metro agencies, implemented Language Access plans for all Metro agencies, achieved a five-year re-certification from the United States Dept. of Housing and Urban Development for the Human Relations Commission, activated Paid Leave Policy for Metro employees who were victims of crime and more. 

The mayor stated, “Barbara’s leadership positioned our team for ongoing success in key areas that are essential to making Louisville stronger. She delivered results – as she always has – for our city and the people we serve.” 

Prior to joining the Greenberg administration, Deputy Mayor Sexton Smith served as councilwoman for District 4 in Louisville from 2017 to 2021 and was president and CEO for Fund for the Arts. Sexton Smith also served on numerous boards including the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District Board, Kentucky College of Arts + Design, Muhammad Ali Center, Simmons College of Kentucky and more. She has received numerous accolades, including the 2023 Lyman T. Johnson Torchbearer Award by Alpha Lamda Education Foundation, the 2024 Peace Award Honoree representing Government by King Solomon Church and will be recognized as the 2024 Black Excellence & Elegance Honoree by Molo Village.  

Deputy Mayor Sexton Smith will remain in her role through April 15. Upon her departure, David James, Deputy Mayor for Emergency Services, will become Deputy Mayor. James will continue to lead Louisville Fire, Metro Corrections and EMS, among other departments.  Mayor Greenberg will make a future announcement regarding the offices that currently report to Deputy Mayor Sexton Smith. 

“Barbara has long been a friend and a colleague – from working alongside her for more than a year in her role as Deputy Mayor to our time on Metro Council, she has been a positive force in Louisville and I am happy for her and Lacey as they take on this new adventure together,” said David James. “I am excited to build on the work we’ve accomplished and continue to make great things happen across our city in this expanded role.” 

“Louisville is so lucky to have leaders like David James and I know he is the best person to step into this position and continue to move our city in a new direction,” said the mayor. 

Original source can be found here.