Business specialist Smith to retire

Gordon Smith, the business specialist at Clovis Community College’s Small Business Development Center, describes his upcoming retirement in two words:

“It’s scary,” he said with a laugh.

“I’ve worked since my first job was at the (Clovis) News Journal when I was 21 years old. The first day I got up and said ‘Well, I just got another 44 years to go.’ So here I am.”

Smith is retiring Monday after eight years with the SBDC.

The former Clovis city commissioner has also been active in area service organizations, including Clovis MainStreet and the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce.

“Gordon has made quite an impression on our Small Business Development Center,” said Becky Rowley, president of Clovis Community College.

“Gordon came to us with a really diverse background in business and also with a little bit of political experience that I think has served us well. We are really going to miss not just (his) presence but especially (his) experience and wisdom.”

Smith’s friends, family and colleagues attended his retirement reception Thursday at CCC’s Eula Mae Edwards Museum.

“Gordon, he just knows things,” said Sandra Taylor-Sawyer, the SBDC director. “He just has so much information up there. It never fails that I am sharing something with him and I may forget a detail or a name ... and you know he can just come up with it just right away. I’m happy for him in this time of his life. He can go and enjoy his family. But it’s still sad; we’re going to miss him.”

Smith said he will be retiring to Rio Rancho, but will serve as a temporary consultant for the SBDC — when he’s not out fishing.

“It has been fun working for CCC,” he said. “I’m leaving with probably 800 hours of sick leave and 30 days of vacation because I would just rather work than be home.

“And I have enjoyed it. It hasn’t been like work at all, it’s been fun. And the best part is getting to work with people on a daily basis, seeing a smile on their face when they start a business.”