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Linda Smart, A Dedicated Public Servant. She is an Influential Person in Central Florida

Posted Aug 30, 2009 by Al Mccray

Updated Aug 30, 2009 at 08:31 PM

Linda Smart is an OutReach Coordinator for the Florida Department of Financial Services. She has been an employee of the State of Florida, Division of Consumer Services since 1989.

In her position in the Tampa office, she goes out into the various communities across Central Florida to explain to the public, businesses, and to agencies the various programs offered by her department. She does a great job in helping the public to; make informed financial decisions, solve consumer issues, and to serve as a resource for information before and after disasters.

Linda Smart, on the left, is always getting awards for her outstanding public service. Giving the award is Carla Cooper.

Linda was born in Tampa Florida and educated throughout Hillsborough County. She attended Dunbar Elementary, B. T Washington, Nathan B. Young and graduated from Hillsborough High School. She also attended Hillsborough Community College. Linda has all lines of insurance license.

(Top picture ) Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe says of Linda, “Her outreach to the public to provide services is what government should be about. Every one can’t come downtown for government business, nor should they have to travel downtown to Ivory Towers to get government services. Linda should be commended for her great outreach efforts”. Mark had attended months before an outreach seminar that Linda was a part of with CFO Alex Sink.

( Bottom picture ) Linda Smart with Tampa City Mayor Pam Iorio

Linda Smart has direct access to the decision makers around the region.

Jay Wilson, (a co-worker), a Financial Crimes Investigator, says of Linda Smart, “Linda does an outstanding job of creating awareness to the general public about our wide array of services in our department. She has a detailed knowledge of all those services. She helps many people. She is very instrumental and effective in assisting the public. Linda is like a human 411 with all her connections in state and local governments. If she can’t directly help you, trust me, she knows the person and organization to refer you to for help. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and committed person like her in our department. Linda Smart is a true professional.” 

She was originally hired as a front desk receptionist, but due to her previous insurance experience, detail knowledge of the various consumer products, great zest / zeal to help the public, her consumer friendly personality, was promptly promoted to an Insurance Field Representative. In 2007 she was promoted to her current position of Community Outreach Coordinator under Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. With this position, Linda was presented with far more challenging and exciting opportunities to serve the public.

You’d be hard pressed to Linda standing still. She racks up thousands of miles on her vehicle traveling around the region informing the public about her department’s many consumer services. You may see Linda in Hernando, Polk, Hardee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Manatee and of course, Hillsborough County.  She makes presentations in middle schools, fairs, forums, workshops and senior groups.

It is not unusual for her to attend many functions on the same day outside her office. It seemed like her car is her office.

Linda has worked with several congressional members, legislative representative and elected officials, Safeguard Our Seniors, Florida Housing Help Workshop, Hurricane Preparedness, Financial Literacy and issues on General Insurance.
                           
Some of the community partners that she has visited and made presentations; 

• Hillsborough County Tampa Bay Saves Financial Education and Advisory Committee
• Honorary Member Lee Davis Advisory Board
• Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT)
• Dress for Success
• Women’s Correctional Institute
• Family Justice Center-Interfaith Chaplaincy Program
• West Central Florida Agency on Aging
• Hillsborough County Prosperity Partnership
• NFCC Money Wise Poster Contest
• United Way of Tampa Bay
• Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center East
• University Community Hospital-Office Manager’s Council
• Department of Elder Affairs
• Greater Tampa Association of Realtors
• WTMP-Talk Radio
• The Gus Stravos Center-USF
• Hernando County Hurricane Preparedness Expo
• City of Tampa
• AARP
• Hillsborough County Public Schools
• Polk County Hurricane Expo
• Senior Connection Magazine-Senior Fun Fest
• First Time Homebuyers Workshops

In these troubled financial times, she hold workshops and seminars on mortgage loan modifications. At a recent seminar, over 450 people attended. Linda was able to help people to reduce their mortgage payments.

Linda says about her position, “I never really think of my employment as a job. I am happy to bring awareness of specific topics and information to the community that would benefit the citizens. I love helping people.”

If all government employees had Linda’s attitude the public would be better served. The public would also feel less apprehensive about meeting government people.

Linda Smart is a remarkable person and like her name, she is very smart.  She is a very busy person and driven. It took considerable efforts on my part to pin her down to complete this article.

Linda Smart is definitely an influential person in Central Florida.