The only Bermudian to have ever passed the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exams has been named the new Assistant Director of Planning.

Six years ago Erica Smith started at the Department of Planning as a trainee and now she's risen to the number two post in the department.

The Public Service Commission this week announced that Mrs. Smith assumed the post on July 1.

When she joined Government in July, 1998 as a trainee planner she was placed in the Development Control Section. The following year, she moved to Forward Planning initially as a trainee and eventually to the established position as Planner.

In March, 2002, she was appointed Designate Assistant Director.

In a Press release from Government's Department of Information and Communication this week the 36-year-old Bermudian was described as having "extensive qualifications in her field and a keen interest in helping to address planning issues that directly effect the public".

Mrs. Smith holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree with Honours from Howard University, Washington, D.C. and a Master of City Planning degree and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Urban Design with Honours from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Mrs. Smith is a certified City and Town Planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). She has also attended Boston University and is a graduate of Warwick Academy.

Prior to joining the Civil Service, Mrs. Smith worked for BTC in its Outside Plant Department and SGK Urban Design Associates as a graduate architect and planner.

During her career in Government, she has undertaken a number of training courses including Government's Middle and Senior Management Development Programmes. She holds a diploma in Supervisory Management from the Bermuda Employers' Council.

In addition, she recently completed a six-month secondment with the Cabinet Office Central Policy Unit as a Policy Analyst and was able to attend the UK Civil Service College for two weeks.

Her experience in Government has included many prominent planning projects. She worked in a team environment on the Town Heritage Plan for St. George's, the City of Hamilton Plan 2001, the World Heritage Site bid for St. George's, the St. Monica's Mission Area Revitalisation Plan and the Listed Buildings Scheme.

As the Assistant Director of Planning (Forward Planning), Mrs. Smith is responsible for managing a team of nine who are tasked with preparing the Development Plan Review and the new Development Plan for the Island over the next two years.

In addition, she will be overseeing the completion of a number of projects for the Department and the Ministry of the Environment, such as the Coastal Erosion Study, the State of the Environment Report and the Cooper's Island Management Plan.

Mrs. Smith is active in the community, as the president of the Bermuda Amateur Softball Association and the Youth Softball League. She is also a member of Government's Women In Sport Committee.