Susan Smartt has been selected AS CSPRA's 2003 Honorary State Park Ranger.

Susan took the helm of the Foundation in August of 1996. Her professional career and community activities have included a wide range of positions in the non-profit sector and business. She served as a director of the East Bay Regional Park District, an elected position, on the Regional Parks Foundation board, as vice president of the Trust for Public Land, as vice chair of the Chabot Space and Science Center board and as president of the National Women's Political Caucus-Alameda North.

Susan was raised on a small ranch in the Californian central valley and fell in love with the California landscape at an early age. A typical valley kid, Susan spent many hours out of doors riding her horse, participating in 4-H activities, biking and walking the countryside. Her passion and commitment to preserving California's beauty eventually lead her to her current position.

A resident of Oakland, Smartt is a Certified Public Accountant, with a degree in accounting from San Diego State University. She also has a master's degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco. Her business career includes positions with Ernst & Young, Standard Oil of Ohio and Merlin Petroleum, where she served as treasurer and controller.

Under Susan's leadership, the Foundation has more than tripled in size, from 12,000 to 38,000 members, increased its fund raising capacity more than 200%, and opened its first Southern California office. And most importantly, the Foundation has become a vocal advocate and leader on behalf of State Parks.

She is to be honored at the 2003 California Parks Conference at Lake Tahoe.