Jay Smith currently works as Coconino County’s Forest Restoration Director and has worked in the forest industry since graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University in 1993. Jay and his wife and their two dogs live in Kachina Village. 

In his current role with Coconino County’s Flood Control District, Jay is developing and implementing the county’s Forest Restoration Initiative to assist in accelerating forest restoration activities on National Forest land within Arizona. His experience running logging operations and sawmills has given him a unique view of the issues that are currently slowing the process and to find new ways to tackle those issues. Jay works closely with forest industry and other partners to reduce the threat from catastrophic wildfire and post-fire flooding, especially on steep slope acres within the county, through forest restoration projects.

Director Jay Smith has served on the Board since June 28, 2021.