Biography

David Smith has been Maricopa County Manager since December 1, 1994. Smith was born on March 15, 1946, in Highland Park, IL. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, in 1968; a Master’s degree in Public Administration from New York University, New York, NY, in 1976; and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pace University Law School, White Plains, NY, in 1983.

After three years with the US Marine Corps Reserve, which included service in Vietnam as a lieutenant, Smith began his public service career in November 1971, as an administrative officer with Orange County, Goshen, NY. In March 1977, he became director of Intergovernmental Relations for Westchester County, White Plains, NY, then served three years as counsel to the New York Lieutenant Governor in Albany, NY. From August 1985 to December 1987, he served as assistant city manager for Yonkers, NY. From January 1988 until November 1994, he was deputy county executive, the chief appointed administrative officer, for Erie County in Buffalo, NY.

Smith’s professional associations include the American Society for Public Administration and National Association of County Administrators. He is a member of the New York State Bar. In 2001, Smith was chosen by Governing Magazine as a public official of the year. The American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration named him the 2008 National Public Service Award winner. He has been a state or local official for 37 years. Smith has served on the Valley of the Sun United Way Board of Directors since 1996.