Dr. Greg Smith
By Kathryn Paradis
A well-educated workforce is one of the cornerstones of sound economic development. In recognition of this, the leadership of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership has selected Dr. Greg Smith, superintendent of Clear Creek Independent School District, as its recipient of the 2016 Quasar Award for Exceptional Leadership in Economic Development.
“Those who know Greg Smith see how committed he is to the students of Clear Creek ISD. We are honored to recognize him for his long service to our schools, our children, and our community,” BAHEP President Bob Mitchell said.
The Quasar Award is presented each year to an outstanding individual who has contributed greatly to the economic wealth and diversity of the Bay Area Houston region. Since 2008, Dr. Smith has led the Clear Creek ISD and its more than 41,000 students and 5,000 staff members.
Under his guidance, student performance has increased in all state indicators, as well as college entrance exams. Today, Clear Creek ISD is considered one of the largest high performing school districts in Texas.
Dr. Smith was named the Superintendent of the Year in 2012 by the Texas Association of School Boards, the Top Administrator by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association and the Superintendent of the Year by the Texas PTA, both in 2013.
Prior to joining CCISD, he served as superintendent of the Alvin School District for seven years. Dr. Smith began his education career in 1981 as an elementary/middle school teacher in Houston ISD.
In 1985 he moved south to Galveston ISD, where he served as assistant principal at Austin Intermediate and later as principal at Ball High School before becoming principal of Pearland High School in the Pearland School District.
In 1996 Dr. Smith joined central administration at Clear Creek ISD as an executive director for the Clear Lake Cluster, and in1998, he was named deputy superintendent of Pearland ISD.
Dr. Smith earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Oakland University, Master’s degree in Education Administration from University of Houston Clear Lake, and his Doctorate in Education Administration from Texas A&M University. He and his wife, Kathy, are the parents of two daughters.
The Quasar Award will be presented to Dr. Smith during BAHEP’s Annual Quasar Award Banquet Jan. 29 at South Shore Harbour Resort.
Prior recipients of BAHEP’s Quasar Award include: Texas Gov. Ann Richards, 1994; U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, 1995; U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, 1996; U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, 1997; Johnson Space Center Director George W.S. Abbey, 1998; Harris County Judge Robert Eckels and Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough, 1999; Robert L. Moody Sr., 2000; Houston Mayor Lee P. Brown, 2001; Harris County Commissioner Jim Fonteno, 2002; House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, 2003; Harris County Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia, 2004; Dr. John Stobo, president of the UTMB at Galveston, 2005; Houston Mayor Bill White, 2006; NASA administrator Dr. Michael Griffin, 2007; Dr. William A. Staples, president of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2008; Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats, 2009; Texas State Rep. Craig Eiland, 2010; U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, 2011; U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, 2012, and Fred B. Griffin, owner and co-chairman, Griffin Partners, 2013; UHCL President Dr. Rena Khator, 2014; and Dr. Bill Merrell, 2015.
