Santa Barbara Region Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J Curry has announced the appointment of Bill Smith of Thousand Oaks as his new regional assistant.

Smith succeeds Maggie Stapp, who retired recently after "many years of faithful service to the region," said Bishop Curry.

A member of St. Jude Church of Westlake Village, Smith is currently a deacon candidate in the region's Diaconate Formation Program. He is currently the general manager of the Ventura Regional Sanitation District and is completing his 23rd year as a local government official. He previously served as City Manager in Sonora, Manhattan Beach and Westminster and also as Assistant City Manager in Monterey. He holds Masters Degrees in Management Science and Public Administration and is currently a candidate for a third Master's degree in Religious Studies.

Smith served in the U.S. Marine Corps after studying at Iona College and the U.S. Naval Academy. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Vietnamese Medal of Honor for his service during the war in Vietnam.

Smith and his wife Judith have five children and three grandchildren. He will commence work immediately on a part-time basis while he transitions from his present position.