Major Projects
An exhaustive record of the most consequential consulting engagements and leadership roles undertaken by Walter L. Smith III (WS-3) — projects that changed communities, moved institutions, and made history.
National #1 Achievement
Minnesota ACO 2580 — Rochester, MN · Highest Self-Response Rate in the Nation: 79.6% out of 252 ACOs
U.S. Census Bureau — 2020 Decennial Census
Area Census Office Manager (ACOM) · Area Census Office #2580 · Rochester, Minnesota
Overview
Walter L. Smith III (WS-3) served as the Area Census Office Manager (ACOM) for the U.S. Census Bureau's Rochester, Minnesota Area Census Office (ACO #2580) — one of 252 Area Census Offices deployed nationwide for the historic 2020 Decennial Census. As ACOM, he held ultimate operational, administrative, and emergency management authority for the office and its entire field operation across southeastern Minnesota.
The result was nothing short of historic: Minnesota led the entire nation with a self-response rate of 79.6% — the highest of all 252 ACOs in the country — and this was accomplished in the middle of a global pandemic. Under Walter's leadership, ACO 2580 in Rochester, MN claimed the number one position in the United States, a landmark achievement recognized across the Bureau.
Leading Through a National Crisis
The 2020 Census was unlike any census in American history. When COVID-19 struck, Governor Tim Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-20 on March 25, 2020 — the "Stay at Home" order directing Minnesotans to remain in their residences except for critical sector work. The 2020 Census was classified as essential federal government work under the Executive Order's "Federal Employees" exemption, meaning Walter and his team were authorized to continue operations while the state was locked down.
Adapting the office's full Business Recovery Plan (BRP), emergency protocols, and operational strategy in real time — all while maintaining a motivated, accountable, and COVID-safe workforce — Walter guided ACO 2580 through what was arguably the most challenging operational environment in the Bureau's history. The response rate achieved under these conditions makes the #1 ranking all the more remarkable.
Role & Responsibilities as ACOM
As the Area Census Office Manager, Walter L. Smith III served simultaneously as the Emergency Management Official (EMO) for the Rochester ACO, holding authority over all aspects of personnel, operations, emergency preparedness, and business continuity. His responsibilities spanned the full spectrum of federal office management:
Oversaw all aspects of the Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP) for ACO #2580, located at 300 11th Ave. NW, Suite 112, Rochester, MN 55901
Maintained the full Census Bureau Business Recovery Plan (BRP) to ensure mission continuity across natural disasters, pandemics, and civil emergencies
Managed a team of supervisors, field operations coordinators, recruiters, IT specialists, and administrative managers
Directed all Phase I (Activation & Relocation), Phase II (Alternate Facility Operations), and Phase III (Reconstitution) emergency planning procedures
Coordinated with the Chicago Regional Census Center (RCC) Regional Director and Field Division HQ throughout the enumeration period
Served as the point of contact for Federal Protective Services, local law enforcement, and emergency management agencies during COVID-19 operations
Ensured 100% compliance with Title 13 confidentiality requirements across all field operations and office personnel
Led after-action reviews following each operational phase, ensuring continuous process improvement
The Landmark Result
#1
ACO in the Nation
Out of 252 Area Census Offices
79.6%
Self-Response Rate
Highest in Minnesota history
2020
In the Middle of COVID-19
Under Governor Walz Stay-at-Home Order
Emergency Operations & Business Continuity
The Rochester ACO maintained a comprehensive Business Recovery Plan (BRP) and Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP) — both of which Walter authored and maintained as ACOM. These federally mandated documents governed every aspect of emergency response for the office, from natural disasters and civil disturbances to active shooter protocols and pandemic response.
The BRP was structured across three operational phases: Phase I (Activation and Relocation — executable within 12 hours), Phase II (Alternate Facility Operations — sustaining essential functions for up to 30 days), and Phase III (Reconstitution — orderly return to normal operations). Walter managed relationships with primary, secondary, and third alternate facilities including ACOs in Eau Claire, WI and Minneapolis, MN, and the Chicago Regional Census Center.
The mission-critical systems under his operational oversight included the Decennial Applicant Personnel & Payroll system (DAPPS), the Operations Control System (OCS), the E2 Travel Management System, and the Census Human Resource Information System (CHRIS) — all housed at the Bowie Computer Center and maintained through the office's IT Specialist under Walter's direction.
Federal Documentation
Walter L. Smith III is documented as the Area Census Office Manager (ACOM) and Emergency Management Official (EMO) for ACO #2580 in the following official U.S. Census Bureau documents, on file with the Chicago Regional Census Center:
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Area Census Office Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP) — ACO #2580, Rochester, MN — Initial Date: 10/1/2019, Revision Date: 6/30/2020
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Rochester, MN ACO Business Recovery Plan (BRP) — U.S. Census Bureau Field Division — April 2020
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ACO Emergency Notification List — ACOM: Walter Smith, Mobile: 507-316-3157
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E2 System Access Request Form — Department of Commerce, Organization: Census, Signed 1/7/2020
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Governor Walz Emergency Executive Order 20-20 — Federal Employees exemption authorizing Census operations during COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
Why This Matters
The decennial census is the most consequential data collection effort in the United States. Census data drives the apportionment of congressional seats, the distribution of over $1.5 trillion in federal funding annually, and the planning of schools, hospitals, roads, and emergency services for the next decade. A high self-response rate means fewer costly and intrusive follow-up visits — and more accurate, equitable data for every community.
For Minnesota to lead the nation — and for the Rochester ACO led by Walter L. Smith III to be the #1 office out of 252 nationwide — in the middle of the greatest public health crisis in a century is a testament to strategic leadership, operational excellence, community trust-building, and an unwavering commitment to the constitutional mandate of the Bureau of the Census.
"The 2020 Census was the most complex logistical operation the federal government undertook during COVID-19 — and Minnesota's #1 ranking reflects the dedication of every enumerator, supervisor, and field coordinator who showed up when the country needed them most."— Walter L. Smith III, ACOM, ACO #2580
ReConnect Rondo
Strategic Development Consultant · St. Paul, Minnesota
The ReConnect Rondo initiative stands as one of the most consequential restorative justice and community revitalization projects in the history of the Upper Midwest. The project seeks to repair the generational damage caused by the construction of I-94 through the Rondo neighborhood — once home to the most vibrant African American community in Minnesota — displacing over 600 families and 300 businesses in the 1960s.
WS-3's Role & Impact
When it comes to Social Justice, Community Revitalization, and Historic Reckoning for the community's sake and benefit — there is no greater example of Intelligence, Integrity, and Innovation than through the landmark efforts and historic work of the premier consulting of Walter L. Smith III of WS-3 Enterprises & Associates, LLC. Serving as Strategic Development Consultant, WS-3 formed the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, drafted the strategic development business plan, and authored the project scope that directly led to the funding of the Rondo Land Bridge Project — earning a Gold Star recognition from the Urban Land Institute in March 2018.
Other Major Engagements
A selection of other landmark consultancy projects and organizational partnerships.
Project Title Here
Brief description of the project, its scope, and what made it significant.
Impact
The specific impact and outcomes achieved through this engagement.