COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County announces the retirement of Lucinda Andreani, Administrator of the Coconino County Flood Control District. Andreani’s departure marks the close of a distinguished career in public service defined by leadership, collaboration and steadfast commitment to the safety and resilience of Coconino County communities.
Andreani has served the County for more than two decades, guiding complex initiatives across public works, emergency response, forest restoration, post-wildfire flood mitigation and intergovernmental partnerships. In her role as Flood Control District Administrator, she led the County’s efforts to protect residents and infrastructure from increasingly severe post-wildfire flooding, particularly following the Schultz, Museum, Tunnel and Pipeline Fires. Her work strengthened long-term flood mitigation systems, advanced innovative engineering approaches and secured critical federal and state funding for high‑priority flood‑risk reduction projects.
“Lucinda’s advocacy, leadership and actions during times of catastrophic wildfires and post-wildfire flood emergencies helped save lives and protected the health and welfare of our communities,” Coconino County District 1 Supervisor and Board Chair Patrice Horstman said. “Through her commitment and technical expertise, she brought together local, state and federal agencies and with private partners developed lasting solutions that improved the lives of our residents. This, together with her championing landscape-scale forest restoration and flood mitigation projects, will be her legacy to Coconino County. We are deeply grateful and thankful for her service.”
Andreani’s efforts in these arenas were recognized by being appointed to represent counties across the country on the Congressionally established Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. The Commission provided 148 recommendations to Congress on how to address the wildfire crisis.
“Lucinda and her team have shaped Coconino County’s resilience in ways that will benefit our communities for decades. But her impact goes well beyond post-wildfire flood mitigation. Over the past 21 years she has been an instrumental County leader and team member securing new revenues for County Public Works road projects, the Exodus Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program and public health services. Her commitment to collaboration, innovation and service, especially through many challenging events, has set a Coconino County standard that will be remembered for its lasting impact,” County Manager Andy Bertelsen said. “We are grateful for her extraordinary contributions and wish her the very best in her well‑earned retirement.”
Under Andreani’s direction, the Flood Control District expanded community outreach, improved real-time communication during flood emergencies and deepened partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and local municipalities. Her contributions have been instrumental in helping communities recover from post-wildfire flooding, strengthen long-term resilience and have been used nationally as a model.
“It has been an honor to serve Coconino County,” Andreani said. “The challenges we face across the many services the County provides, including wildfire to flooding to watershed change, require strong partnerships and dedication from many. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and deeply grateful to the community, County Leadership and staff, and our interagency partners for their commitment.”
Andreani’s last day with Coconino County will be Oct. 9. For more information about the Flood Control District, visit coconino.az.gov/1450/Flood-Control-District.