News
Smariga to lead Big Brothers Big Sisters operations
02/18/2009
Georgia executive to start February 9
Sharla Hall, interim CEO, said, “We are fortunate to have someone with Rob’s experience join our organization and we look forward to working with him to ensure that the children of Oklahoma receive the best services we can provide for their successful futures.”
Most recently Smariga served as director of operations for the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) in Atlanta, GA. He held that position since February 2005 and led the internal operations of the organization. In that position he supervised more than 20 people including staff and independent contractors.
Additionally, he served as director of member value and member services manager with the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses in Atlanta, member relations manager with the Consumer Electronics Association in Arlington, VA., and manager of member services with the American Anthropological Association also in Arlington, VA. Smariga also worked for the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. for seven years in a variety of management positions.
Smariga holds a M.A. in non-profit management from the University of Georgia and a B.A. in social sciences from John Hopkins University. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the Georgia Society of Association Executives.
He is active in youth development activities and has volunteered and tutored with many schools and organizations in Georgia, Virginia and Washington, D.C. He is very familiar with Big Brothers Big Sisters having served as a Big Brother in Atlanta for four years.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nationally recognized mentoring program that matches children, ages 6-16, with caring adult mentors. Big Brothers Big Sisters facilitates one-to-one mentoring friendships between children and caring volunteers through community based and site based programs. Independent research has proven that children with a Big Brother or Big Sister are less likely to use drugs, skip school or be involved in acts of violence, and have better relationships with family and friends.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma announced the appointment of Robert Smariga as chief operating officer. He will begin his duties on February 9. He is a Certified Association Executive with 17 years of management experience.