Karla Smiley

Karla Smiley
Director Information Resources Office

Karla Smiley is the Director Information Resources Office for the Bureau of Reclamation, and is known for accepting challenges and for making visions a reality through her passion for process improvement, cost avoidance and use of the best technology tools to accomplish mission requirements. As a member of the Department’s Information Management and Technology Leadership Team, she serves as an advocate for the strategic goals of the Chief Information Officer and strives to impart the objectives to Reclamation leadership and staff through partnership and building coalitions by encouraging open communication, sharing of ideas and driving to achieve results.

In her current role, Smiley is responsible for Reclamation's information management and technology resources, cyber security and the operation of information technology systems and networks, supporting bureau-wide computing and telecommunications. She has served as a member of the Department’s Cyber Security Advisory Group, and led initiatives in the implementation of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA), workforce development, data center consolidation and organizational assessments.

Smiley brings to her position a wealth of knowledge and experience from her extensive career in the federal government. She joined Reclamation in 2004 as Reclamation’s Bureau Procurement Chief with responsibility for overseeing Reclamation's acquisition, financial assistance, property, charge card and multi-sector workforce programs. During that time, she was instrumental in Reclamation's accomplishments under the Recovery Act and chaired the Reclamation's Acquisition and Assistance Leadership Team and the Department of the Interior's Acquisition Management Partnership.

She has more than 35 years of experience as a federal employee. Her Federal Government career has offered her the opportunity to work in a variety of positions in both military and civilian agencies. Smiley has worked for the Department of the Army, Defense Contract Management Agency and USDA Forest Service in areas including information resources, acquisition, wild land fire, facilities, engineering and transportation.

Smiley is a graduate of the Department of the Interior's Senior Executive Service Career Development Program and also holds a Master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Contract Management from Florida Institute of Technology. An Illinois native, she additionally holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Business Administration and Economics from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.

Last Reviewed: September 11, 2018

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