Brad Smith has worked for more than 35 years in social services and education including residential care, foster care, child abuse investigations, school-based services, and nonprofit leadership with more than twenty of those years in leadership roles. After graduating from Liberty High School, Brad attended Benedictine College and graduated in 1986. After years in social services, Brad served as an Independence School District administrator from 2001-2011 and founded the Family Services department within the district. In 2011, Brad was selected to be the Executive Director of Drumm Farm Center for Children. During his tenure, programs and services have increased by 600%, public support for Drumm's mission has tripled, and more than $12,500,000 of capital improvements have been completed. Brad is a leader achieving outstanding levels of performance with passion, talent, and a history of successfully changing the status quo by initiating a focus on mission, teamwork, results, and accountability. He has excellent communication skills, a clear focus on consumers and believes that greatness is "a matter of conscious choice and discipline." Brad and Julie, a retired school teacher, have been married for 34 years, have three children (Lindsay, Josh, and Noah), and a brand new granddaughter, Hallie.

The "virtual" Mardi Gras Gala raised over $370,000 for Englewood Arts! More details to come.