North County Fire & Medical District Governing Board

Richard Bookie (Chairman)

Term Expires: December 2026

Biography:
Board Chairman Richard Bookie and his wife Joyce, met while serving in the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps. They raised their three children as Richard began his education as well as a 35 year public safety career. Richard retired in 2017 as Deputy Chief of Fire/EMS from the combined duty (Police and Fire) Glencoe Department of Public Safety in Illinois. Richard holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and has advanced education in Forensics and Supervision from Northwestern University. Richard looks forward to continuing his life of service by supporting the efforts of our excellent firefighters, paramedics and civilian staff at the North County Fire & Medical District.

James Young (Clerk)

Term Expires: December 2024

Biography:
Board Member James Young is originally from Michigan where he attended Michigan State University and after an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, managed and owned the family auto parts business for more than 42 years. Board Member Young has extensive Governing Board experience serving as City Council and Mayor for the City of Howell, MI and was appointed to serve on the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Board, a 5-county metro park system which includes and surrounds the Detroit area.

Board Member Young is a proud community servant, spending 17 years as a Scoutmaster helping to guide more than 30 young men to reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Board Member Young has continued this public service into retirement and is currently serving on the Recreation Centers of Sun City West Governing Board as well as now being elected to the Governing Board of the North County Fire & Medical District.

Dawn Miller

Term Expires: December 2024

Biography:

Dawn is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the North County Fire & Medical District, she has over 25 years of leadership experience and has worked as Administrator & Executive Director for skilled nursing, assisted living and memory support facilities and is currently serving as the Executive Director for a post acute rehabilitation center. Dawn received a Master of Social Work Degree from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Grand Canyon University. She is licensed as a Nursing Home Administrator, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a Certified Assisted Living Facility Manager.

Dawn has served on numerous committees and boards over the past 20 years, including previous service on the North County Fire & Medical District Governing Board. Her and her husband are 18 year residents of the North County Fire & Medical District. She has 2 children and 1 granddaughter, is a native of Phoenix and enjoys running and hiking. Dawn enjoys representing the community by serving on the North County Fire Board.

Merrel "Tony" Sambol

Term Expires: December 2024

Biography:

Board Member Tony Sambol and his wife Roberta have lived in Sun City West since 2004, at which time he joined the Sun City West Posse and served in many posts until 2015. Board Member Sambol is a member of the Surprise Sunset Rotary Club and the Desert Palms Presbyterian Church.

Prior to his retirement in 1995, Board Member Sambol worked for over 30 years with the Southern California Edison Co., responsible for accounting of labor, materials, contract labor and transportation costs in electric utility construction and maintenance. These responsibilities required application of rules, budgets, and electric utility regulations from cities, county, state, and federal government agencies to the working environment of the utility.

Russell "Smitty" Smith

Term Expires: December 2026

Biography:
Board Member Smith moved from Michigan to Phoenix with his wife in 1980 after retiring with 15 years of service with the Saginaw Fire Department. Later in 1980, Board Member Smith joined the Rural Metro Fire Department. In 1990, he retired from Rural Metro, Sun City West’s original fire department, as a Captain. The Smiths relocated to Sun City West in 2001 after their last child graduated from high school. North County Fire & Medical District Board Member Smith has been familiar with the District since the first station was built in 1982 and he hopes to contribute to the ongoing excellence exhibited by the Authority.