CASSOPOLIS — Marcellus resident Tim Smith, 51, always thought he would retire from GateWay Services, a Benton Harbor-based nonprofit offering habilitation and rehabilitation supports and services to individuals with disabilities or various other barriers to independent community living. GateWay’s south-county office is located in downtown Niles.

However, when an opportunity fell into his lap to serve his home county, he knew he had to jump on it.

“This is the first time in more than 20 years that I’ve had the opportunity to actually serve the community in which I live,” Smith said. “That was a big deal to me. When this opportunity presented itself, it was very attractive to me.”

Smith, who served as the executive director of GateWay Services for five years, was recently selected to be the new chief executive officer of Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network. Based in Cassopolis, Woodlands is a Cass County entity that provides services and treatments to individuals dealing with substance abuse, mental illness and developmental disabilities. His first day at Woodlands will be Jan. 21, taking over for the recently retired former CEO Kathy Sheffield.

“GateWay is one of the best organizations I have ever worked for, and it’s just been the privilege of a lifetime to work there,” Smith said. “It is difficult to leave. It was a great gig. I love the work, and I love the people — I truly love them, but that opportunity to serve my own community is driving me. … I live here. I have a horse in the race. I’m a true stakeholder in the work that is done at Woodlands because it affects me as a citizen of Cass County.”

With a more than 20-year career of working in the community services field, including working in community mental health in Allegan County, Smith said he is prepared to take on the role of CEO at Woodlands.

“I’m already very familiar with Woodlands, and when I walk through the door, I will see four or five people I have known or worked with for years,” he said. “I already know all of the good that Woodlands does, so that makes starting a little bit easier. I don’t feel too much like a new guy because I already have so much experience with Woodlands.”

Because of his familiarity and experience, Smith said he is most excited to work with people and staff at Woodlands.

“I would say my strength as a leader is my engagement with staff,” he said. “I just like to engage with people, especially people that are there to help others.”

Though Smith is excited about his new opportunity at Woodlands, he said he is aware that he is walking into a situation that will require him to build trust with the staff, the community and county officials.

In July, the Cass County Board of Commissioners voted to dissolve Woodlands’ status as Cass County’s Mental Health Authority. The resolution will be effective one year following the State Department of Mental Health’s notification of the vote. At that point, all debt incurred by Woodlands and property purchasing will fall to the county.

This summer, Woodlands staff members described the revocation of its authority status as a “stunning,” “egregious” and “adversarial” move that left employees worried that their jobs were being threatened. At the time of the vote, commissioners said the resolution would not impact staffing, budget or services.

Though at this time, Smith does not have an expectation of how the transfer of authority will go, he plans to discuss the topic and solutions with county officials. He also plans to build strong relationships with the county, community members and staff to help ensure that Woodlands serves the community to its highest ability. 

“This is something that is built on trust and confidence that I will be a good steward of Woodlands,” he said.

Establishing that trust will be one of his first orders of business as CEO, Smith said. Another top agenda item will be networking and ensuring strong relationships with other community entities.

As his start date gets closer, Smith said his anticipation of working for an organization that provides vital serves to his county grows. Once he sits down at his desk next week, he is ready to hit the ground running and lead Woodlands in the community.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity — nervous and excited at the same time,” he said. “It’s a little nerve-wracking, but I’m confident, especially with the people who are already there. There is a lot of good to be done.”