Jackie Smith, Selma’s former city clerk, has been named the new managing director of the Black Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In her new job, Smith will oversee an area of more than 80,000 people in Dallas, Perry, Marengo, Choctaw and Wilcox counties.

Smith has spent the last 25 years working for the city of Selma, serving the past six as city clerk.

Smith’s husband, Tommy, directs the city’s public works department and the couple has three children and one grandchild.

Smith’s arrival has been a welcome relief for the local Red Cross, which has been without a director for over a year and recently lost its charter, becoming instead a certified service delivery unit.

The Montgomery Red Cross took over administration duties of the local organization in mid-February when it could not raise enough money to meet operating costs.

Smith, 44, said her first priority is to assure people that the Red Cross is still capable of meeting the needs of the Black Belt area.

In the past year, the Black Belt chapter of the Red Cross has served over 11,500 families with military emergencies, house fires, safety education courses and much more.

During the past six months alone, 40 families have been assisted with disaster recovery after house fires.

Smith said she feels confident about getting the local Red Cross office back on its feet, but she admits the organization could use a little help.

In a written statement, Kay Stabler, manager of administration at the Red Cross of Central Alabama, said the organization feels fortunate to have Smith as its newest managing director.