Kenya Smith, one of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin’s top aides has announced his resignation, effective June 20.

City of New Orleans

Kenya Smith

Smith, who served as Nagin’s Director of Intergovernmental Relations, has worked as a key part of Nagin’s staff since shortly after Nagin was inaugurated.

Smith’s current position of chief of intergovernmental affairs began just weeks before Katrina struck. He served as the bridge between the local, state and federal government.

“Kenya has been a critical part of our work to recover and to build an even better city for the future,” said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. “His passion and strategic vision have been invaluable. I thank him for his hard work and wish him every happiness and success in the future.”

In addition to overseeing local, state and federal governmental relations and lobbying efforts, Smith also directed the Mayor’s Office of Public Advocacy, volunteer services, grant monitoring, mayoral fellows, and human rights.

Smith said he intends to work in the future in a capacity to help the city’s recovery.