Doug Smith, a public and private sector communications advisor, is stepping down from an assistant secretary role at the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security for the GM slot of MWW's Washington operation.

doug smithMarilyn Berry Thomspon, who led the DC office of MWW until July, is now non-executive chairman and senior adviser.

Smith led the Private Sector Office in four years at DHS, advising Secretary Janet Napolitano on strategic communications and fostering ties with private sector companies and other institutions.

He was previously managing partner of PA shop T Street Partners, handling the push for Chicago to be a U.S. designate city for the 2016 Olympics. He was previously a VP at Leo Burnett Worldwide on the U.S. Army's "Army of One" PR and advertising account, and worked in PA and press roles in the Clinton administration at Housing and Urban Development and the Dept. of Transportation.

President Barack Obama has nominated Jeh Johnson to take over DHS, following Napolitano's exit. Rand Beers is interim secretary.

Smith takes an EVP and GM title at MWW.