Smithson, who resides in Apache Junction, is currently a City Councilmember for the City of Apache Junction, a position he will resign to take the oath of County Supervisor. Smithson has served on Pinal County’s Planning and Zoning Commission, on the Superstition Mountain Community Facilities District and was a director of the Chandler Education Foundation and has filled leadership roles in many other civic and community groups.
He is also a former city planner and city manager who currently does substitute teaching for grades 3 through 12.
In his application materials, Smithson said he will not be a candidate in November’s election for county supervisor.
“My desire is to fill the remainder of the current term expiring January, 2013, then run again next spring for the position of city councilmember in the City of Apache Junction, which position I currently am honored to hold,” he stated in the cover letter.
Smithson’s selection came after a process that required individuals to submit applications, letters of interest and/or résumés by Friday, May 7. The qualified applicants were invited to make a five-minute presentation in a work session at a special public meeting on Wednesday. This afternoon, the Supervisors met in open session to discuss and select a successor to former Supervisor Martyn.
“I am confident we have selected a person of integrity, character and, above all, one who cares about the issues in their district,” Chairman Pete Rios said. “I look forward to working with Supervisor Smithson for the remainder of his term. I will do everything I can to make his transition to the office as smoothly as possible.”
“Mr. Smithson has a wealth of experience in government, including service on Pinal County’s Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as responsible positions in city government as a planner and city manager,” Supervisor David Snider said. “I was impressed by his wealth of experience in government and his varied other interests and civic activities.”
Smithson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from UCLA and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He has also taken postgraduate studies in Education Administration at ASU.
Smithson moved to Arizona in 1984 and has resided in Apache Junction since 2001.
