SOUTH PORTLAND — Owen Smith, communications director for the Waldo County 911 call center since its inception in 2000, was awarded Director of the Year, Thursday, May 5, during a conference in South Portland.

“I was surprised and very honored,” Smith said of the moment during the ceremony when representatives of the Maine chapter of the National Emergency Number Association called his name.

His “dispatch family,” as Smith calls them, nominated him based on his positive attitude and willingness to act as mentor and motivator. Other factors included Smith’s accomplishments in improving working conditions for employees, as well as improving the quality of service provided to the community.

“The overall responsibility of the Communications Center is mine,” Smith said in regards to the dispatchers he oversees in the 24/7, adrenaline-loaded, department. “We have 16 very strong personalities who are very good at what they do.”

Smith defines his job as part cheerleader and part administrator. As a department head for a county department, he devises each annual budget, maintains contact with other departments, evaluates employees, keeps up with his own certifications, and provides quality assurance.

“I’m very proud that I was sent month after month the scores of 98, 99, 100,” he said.

Oh, and he orders the office supplies since he works without an assistant — Not that he needs one, he’s quick to add.

This June, Smith will celebrate 22 years of service in the field of dispatch. His career, though, started out with a few different twists.

He was a reporter/photographer from 1965 to 1967.

He worked as a Belfast police officer from 1973 to 1988 in full and part time roles, having graduated from the criminal justice program in 1971.

“Belfast in the 70s is not like what Belfast is today. There were gin joints on every corner. Spent all their time in the bars. People worked hard and played hard. But, it’s good experience. You couldn’t get an education in psychology as much as you can working on the streets, at least not at a time like this,” Smith said.

In 1976, Smith also worked for Journal Publications in Belfast, working his way up to general manager, before the company went bankrupt and was bought and closed.

He then sold cars for Dutch Chevrolet for three and a half years.

He’s also served two terms on city council, and has currently presided as president of the Maine Emergency Communications Centers Association for three terms.

According to Smith, he will not have any more careers in the future. Year’s ago, when he dreamed of his retirement job, he considered being a substitute teacher. He has since nixed that idea. But hey, retirement is not actually in the foreseeable future, so, who knows?

Sarah Thompson can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com.