The same unwavering focus that has taken Keith Smith from his southern roots in Atlanta to positions in human resources for the City of New York and some of the nation’s largest corporate brands, has now led him to the role of founder and CEO of Consortia.

Smith’s interest in the human side of human resources began during his educational years. While still in school in Atlanta, his enthusiasm for helping companies maximize their resources and helping employees successfully navigate corporate structures and career development landed Smith a spot in Marriott International’s manager-in-training program.

As a business manager for Marriott –– while still in his twenties –– Smith was responsible for identifying licensing and expansion opportunities for the company. “I was proud of having excelled within a short period of time,” Smith says of his five years with Marriott. “I was not only making significant contributions, but developing sound business ethics and strategies for relationship building. That type of experience prepares you for anything.”

In 1998, Smith made the transition to Federated Department Stores (Macy’s East Corporate Office) –– parent company of Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Rich’s –– where he was a senior executive of licensing. At Federated he identified and brokered licensing opportunities for the retail powerhouse, bringing in some of the nation’s best-known brands, including Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, AT&T Wireless, McDonald’s and Stride Rite. During his stint at Federated, Smith branched out as a consultant.

Tapped by the New York-based celebrity interior designer Courtney Sloane and her studio, Alternative Design (AD), Smith coordinated a human resources package for the celebrity designer’s small business. With Sloane and Alternative Design, Smith had his first taste of his not-too-distant future. As AD’s consultant he was handling contracts, organizational development, compliance and procedure, recruitment and retention, and developing forms and processes. He was the firm’s virtual HR office and he loved it. Sloane remains a loyal client to date.

Smith’s virtual services attracted other clients, particularly in the non-profit arena where he found organizations with limited infrastructure resources that desperately needed to maximize their people resources.

In addition to his consultancy, Smith had moved from Federated to a position as director of human resources for Episcopal Health Services. For three years he honed his skills in the health and human services arena for the New York City-based operator of hospitals and nursing homes.

His work attracted the attention of the City of New York, and Smith was appointed to Commissioner for the Bureau of Human Resources by the New York City Health Commissioner, Thomas R. Frieden, for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Working for one of the largest public health systems in the nation, Smith redeveloped and implemented policies and revamped the department’s entire system, including forms, processes and the recruitment strategy.

In 2004, Smith, eager to take his experiences and passion for human resources management to diverse companies and organizations, founded Consortia. “Consortia is a strategic alliance of professionals who think outside the box,” says Smith of the new venture. “We are a network of human resource consultants able to meet the needs of businesses who are small in size but not in scope or velocity, in terms of growth.”

Smith’s virtual human resources consultancy focuses on small to medium size companies – from entertainment and advertising to health and hospitality. “I needed to do something, not just for myself, to expand my experience, but also to contribute to the development of what I see as the workforce of the future.

Small businesses and non-profits are evolving to deal with the changing economic times. These companies and organizations are small, lean, they’re ready for anything, and I’m right there with them.”