Congratulations to Redwood Coast Regional Center (RCRC) Executive Director Dr. Kimberly Smalley, who is retiring after 19 years with the organization.
Congratulations, Dr. Smalley. on your retirement!
Dr. Smalley first stepped in as Interim Executive Director in 2020, during a challenging time marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. She officially accepted the position later that year. Under her leadership, RCRC grew from 121 employees serving about 4,000 people to 164 employees serving more than 5,600 people. Before becoming Executive Director, Dr. Smalley was the Center’s Behavior Analyst/Autism Clinical Specialist.
She guided the center through the pandemic, organizational growth, and recent budget uncertainty. Her deep knowledge of the region, service providers, and the people supported by RCRC strengthened the center’s work with the Department and the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA).
Through her 40 years of working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, Dr. Smalley has been, above all, an advocate. The RCRC’s Board of Directors thanked Dr. Smalley for her “strong and clear voice” in advocating for people with IDD.
“In partnership with the service providers, she has led the Redwood Coast Regional Center closer to meeting our goals and reaching our vision,” said Mike Sawyer, RCRC’s Board President.
The Department also thanks Dr. Smalley for her years of dedication, uplifting the voices and experiences of Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We wish her well in retirement and in celebrating her new life chapter!