We’re proud to announce that Jill Wilkerson-Smith has been named Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City (RDA). Wilkerson-Smith joined the RDA in 1990, giving her nearly three decades of institutional knowledge and a breadth of experience that covers all aspects of the organization.

“Jill’s caliber of on-the-job experience is un-paralleled,” commented RDA Chief Operating Officer Danny Walz. “She is an exceptional resource for things redevelopment- and Salt Lake City-related and we’re lucky to have her.”

During her time at the RDA, Jill has been instrumental in the completion of many RDA projects and efforts, some of the most notable being: Gallivan Center’s renovation, the creation of the North Temple Project Area, the adaptive reuse of the historic Beehive Brick building for the Artspace Macaroni Flats affordable housing development, and the recent updates to the RDA’s tax increment reimbursement policy.

“Jill’s historic knowledge of the RDA will most certainly be an asset to strategically refining the Agency’s policies and procedures.” said Lara Fritts, director of the Department of Economic Development, within which the RDA resides. “Having worked in every facet of the organization gives her a unique and broad perspective on RDA’s work.”

Originally from Mountain View, California, Wilkerson-Smith came to Salt Lake City in the late 1980s by way of Denver, where she first discovered her passion: professional bike racing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Utah, as well as a certificate in Negotiations and Leadership from Harvard Law School. She loves her husband, cat, and gluten-free bread.

Congratulations, Jill!