COCONINO COUNTY — Jay Smith, Coconino County’s Forest Restoration Director, has been selected to participate in the 17th cohort of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship, a flagship program of the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership at the Flinn Foundation.
In his role with Coconino County’s Flood Control District, Jay Smith utilizes 28 years of forest management experience to develop and implement the County’s Forest Restoration Initiative. His experience managing logging operations and sawmills gives him a unique view of issues that slow the forest restoration process and innovative ways to tackle barriers. Jay works closely with the forest products industry, U.S. Forest Service, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, nonprofits and policymakers to reduce the threat in Arizona from catastrophic wildfire and post-wildfire flooding. As a Flinn-Brown Fellow, Smith will join a statewide network of leaders working across sectors to shape Arizona’s future.
“The Flinn-Brown Fellowship is more than a learning experience—it’s a call to service,” said Dawn Wallace, Flinn Foundation vice president, civic leadership. “It affirms that lasting change in Arizona comes from everyday people who pair their commitment to service with the knowledge and relationships needed to navigate policy and solve real-world problems.”
The 2025 Flinn-Brown Fellows represent the breadth of Arizona’s talent and dedication needed to meet Arizona’s complex challenges. The cohort includes elected officials and public servants; nonprofit and university executives, business leaders and entrepreneurs; educators and others interested in addressing Arizona’s most pressing public policy issues.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be selected as a Flinn-Brown Fellow,” Smith said. “This is an opportunity in reciprocity where we can share lessons learned in Coconino County with other leaders across the state and bring the wisdom of statewide leaders back to Coconino County.”
For more information on Jay Smith’s role in the Coconino County Forest Restoration Initiative, visit www.coconino.az.gov/ForestRestoration.