Since 1944, the AACD has supported the efforts of Arizona’s Conservation Districts.

Created by Arizona's Conservation Districts in the 1940s, the Arizona Association of Conservation Districts was established as a means of support to help coordinate and fund locally-led conservation efforts across the state and to unify and represent District goals and interests. As a nonprofit, AACD can apply for federal and state government grant programs and non-governmental monies (e.g., private foundations) that Districts, as subdivisions of government, oftentimes cannot. Arizona faces stiff competition with national, state, and local entities for much-needed conservation dollars. Through its efforts, AACD helps to get more conservation funds to the Districts through four main categories so that they can get more conservation work on the ground.

AACD Executive Board

  • Tim Grandy, President, Buckeye Valley NRCD

    Tim is a fourth-generation farmer in the Buckeye Valley. He and his son have a small cow-calf operation. For over 40 years, Tim worked as a Soil Conservation Technician at the NRCS. Since retirement in 2018, Tim has served on the Buckeye Valley NRCD Board and is currently the Vice-Chairman.

  • Dawn Salcito, 1st Vice President, Triangle NRCD

    Dawn was born and raised on a ranch in Arizona and has been ranching in Skull Valley with her husband on his family ranch for 30+ years. Dawn has been working with Districts since 2015 when she joined the Triangle NRCD Board and worked for the Western Yavapai Conservation Education Center.

  • Frank Krentz, 2nd Vice President, Whitewater Draw NRCD

    Frank is a rancher in the Douglas area. His family has been in the business of ranching for over 100 years. He became involved with the Districts in 2010 and is a Board Supervisor for the Whitewater Draw NRCD. He has held the position of AACD President and Past President.

  • Tina Thompson, Past President, Willcox-San Simon NRCD

    Tina is a fifth-generation rancher who, with her husband David, is the current owner/operator of the same ranch she grew up on, outside of Willcox. Tina became involved with the Willcox-San Simon NRCD in 2010 and sits on the Board. She joined the Executive Committee in 2018.

  • Daric Knight, Treasurer, Apache NRCD

    Daric is a fourth-generation rancher in Springerville. He and his wife raise Hereford cattle and own a hunting operation. Daric has been involved with the Districts since high school and is currently the Apache NRCD Board Chair.

  • Sadie Lister, Secretary, Little Colorado River SWCD

    Sadie is a 7th-generation rancher and raises cattle and sheep. She became a Little Colorado River Soil and Water Conservation District/Navajo Nation member in 2010. As well as Tribal District Liasion to the AACD, Sadie is an elected representative for the Community of Indian Wells.

  • Steve Turcotte, Rangeland & Forestry Committee Chair, Winkelman NRCD

    Steve is a rancher and vice chair of the Winkelman NRCD. A retired Navy pilot, Steve purchased his ranch in Aravaipa Canyon after 30 years of service. Steve has worked hard to retain a sustainable, healthy, and diverse landscape while maintaining a stable livestock and wildlife population.

  • Anita Waite, Government Affairs Committee Chair, Big Sandy NRCD

    Anita has been ranching in Arizona since 1993 with her husband. Anita is the chair for the Big Sandy NRCD and is very active in multiple organizations including the Mohave Counties Public Land Use Committee Grazing Chair and the Habitat Partnership Committee.

  • Ray Martinez, Tribal Affairs Committee, Parker Valley NRCD

    Ray Martinez is a farmer from Parker Valley where he sits on the Parker Valley NRCD Board as Chairman.

AACD’s Management Team

AACD contracts a talented team of individuals to manage the administration of the organization. This group’s experience includes organizational management, financial management, program management, marketing, outreach, education, rangeland monitoring, conservation planning, and more. In total, this group manages over $40 million for AACD’s programs and projects, supporting the statutory responsibilities of Arizona’s Conservation Districts.

From left to right: Deb Smith, CEO; Dawn Salcito, Program Manager; Heather Baker, Content Director; Weston Hart, CFO; Sarah James, Rangeland Management Technical Lead; Sammy Barajas, Operations Coordinator; Ronie Hemsley, Outreach Coordinator; and Brooke Gladden, Communications Director.