Maria Smith joined BWC as director of community relations in August 2007 and was promoted to Chief Communications Officer in January 2009. Smith oversees BWC’s communications and marketing division which provides a multitude of services to employees and customers.

Currently, the division is working on a mandated overhaul of agency correspondence to ensure efficiency in processing and message clarity for Ohio employers and injured workers. The division also handles requests for information from the media; develops, updates and maintains content for BWCWeb and ohiobwc.com; and provides graphic design, messaging and branding services for the agency.

Prior to joining BWC, Smith served as deputy director of communications and marketing for the Ohio Department of Development. She came to state service as a public information officer in 2001.

Smith also has 15 years experience as a professional journalist, working as a newscast producer and assignment editor at WBNS 10-TV and NBC4 in Columbus, and WCHS-TV8 in Charleston, WV. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Ohio University.