Dr. Kelley D. Smith was appointed Chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Division in June 1998. He had been serving in this position on an acting basis since June 1997, prior to his permanent appointment.

Dr. Smith is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned his B.S. degree in Fisheries Biology and Management in June 1978. He then attended The University of Michigan, where he received an M.S. degree in Biometrics (applied to fisheries), and a Ph.D. degree in Fisheries Biology and Management.

DNR Fisheries Division hired Dr. Smith as a research biologist in May 1985 to do stock assessment and modeling work on fish populations inhabiting the Great Lakes. He initially worked at the Mt. Clemens Research Station, and was then transferred in March 1986 to the Charlevoix Great Lakes Station on Lake Michigan. Dr. Smith's research focused on chinook salmon, although he also worked on modeling efforts to assess population dynamics for coho salmon, steelhead, and lake trout. He served in this capacity until 1993, when he was put in charge of coordinating all Great Lakes Research projects for Fisheries Division. These duties included coordination and liaison responsibilities with the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management Unit, established via cooperative agreements with Michigan State University and The University of Michigan. In April 1995, Dr. Smith was promoted to Statewide Hatchery Program Manager. In this capacity, he was responsible for the Fisheries Division's fish production program, including oversight and program planning for the state's six hatcheries and the Fish Health and Quality Laboratory. He held this position until his 1997 appointment as Acting Chief of the Fisheries Division.