Kent economic development director diagnosed with brain tumor

Brittany Nader

Dan Smith, director of economic development for the city of Kent, wrote on his Facebook page Sunday that he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

In the public post, Smith wrote that he received the diagnosis Friday and would undergo surgery Monday morning.

Heidi Shaffer, Ward 5 councilwoman, confirmed Smith’s condition in an email and asked that his family’s privacy be respected.

Smith asked his Facebook friends to keep him and his family in their thoughts and prayers. He wrote that he and his wife, Missy, would continue to “send updates from time to time.”

Jack Amrhein, Ward 2 councilman, and Jerry Fiala, Kent city mayor, posted comments sending their prayers.

“You, Missy and the girls will be in my prayers and thoughts,” Fiala wrote.

Contact Brittany Nader at [email protected].