Inaugural Speech

Mayor Smith is in his first term as Mayor of Mesa, Arizona. Smith told the Mesa Republic, “My goal was not to get involved in government. My goal was to change the way Mesa did business.” And since he has been in office, there have been many changes.

Mayor Smith:

• tackled the proposed bond package and reduced its size by half, making it an easier package for voters to pass
• revamped the Mesa Gateway Strategic Development Plan to allow more flexibility in development
• sealed the deal for Arizona’s largest hotel and convention center with Gaylord Entertainment Co. for the Mesa Gateway Area
• helped Mesa become the headquarters for the Arizona Aerospace Institute
• participated as a panelist along with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker in a forum sponsored by the Brookings Institute Metropolitan Policy Program and the National League of Cities in Washington, DC to discuss the impacts of the economy on local governments
• was elected by fellow mayors from across the country to serve on the Advisory Board of the United States Conference of Mayors, the leading organization of 1,200 large cities.

As Mayor, Smith is interested in taking a regional approach to decision making. “Lines on a map shouldn’t decide policy or project boundaries,” Smith said. “Decisions must be made on what is best for the region because what is best for the region is ultimately best for each city and its residents.” His regional focus is unique and has made him a visible leader in the Valley.

At the city level, Mayor Smith plans to spend his term in office forming and strengthening a partnership with Mesa residents to “Build a Better Mesa.” An original tag line coined during his campaign, Building a Better Mesa includes capitalizing on Mesa’s wealth of opportunities. Mayor Smith has outlined six critical areas on which to focus his vision.

• Families can live in safer, more active neighborhoods. We can “Build a Better Mesa” by increasing local access to quality education, as well as affording families local venues for shopping and recreation.
   
• Future generations can stay in the city and realize their career goals. “Building a Better Mesa” means working to expand its economic base so all of its citizens can enjoy high paying jobs without leaving the city.
   
• Build pride in our community. In order to “Build a Better Mesa,” we need to make Mesa a place where families, businesses and investors want to live and work.
   
• Leader in regional issues. “Building a Better Mesa” does not mean that we only look within our own borders for change. We must work with our neighbors as a region on common issues such as transportation and infrastructure planning and development.
   
• Re-establish trust in city government. As a government, we cannot “Build a Better Mesa” without the guidance of our citizens. We must prove to them that the City is wise with its finances, transparent in its dealings and respectful to its residents.
   
• Economic development city-wide. We can no longer rely on growth as our sole economic development tool. In order to “Build a Better Mesa” we also need to look at renewing and revitalizing our mature communities. Only by attracting businesses to all parts of Mesa can we truly realize the maximum benefit development brings for all of our citizens.

Currently, Mayor Smith serves on many boards and committees including the US Conference of Mayors Advisory Board, National League of Cities Transportation Infrastructure Committee, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Board, Maricopa Association of Governments Regional Council Executive Committee and Transportation Policy Committee, League of Arizona Cities and Towns Executive Board and the A.T. Still University Council.

Professionally, Mayor Smith has worked for both Price Waterhouse and ExecuShare, LTD. He also worked for the University of Phoenix as an accounting and finance instructor. Most recently, Mayor Smith served as President for both Great Western Homes and K. Hovnanian Homes.

Mayor Smith earned a degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University, after completing a two-year mission in Bolivia. He continued his studies at Arizona State University earning a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate.

Mayor Smith and his wife Kim have been married for over 30 years, raising their three children here in Mesa. They now enjoy the job of being doting grandparents to three grandchildren, all of which reside in Mesa as well.