North County Fire & Medical District Governing Board

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.

Term Expires: December 2028

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.

Term Expires: December 2028

Biography:

Board Member Gregg Lentz and his wife Alie have been married for 24 years and have 5 children, ranging in ages from 20 to 6. Gregg is a native to the Phoenix metro area, graduating from Scottsdale Christian Academy and NAU where he earned a degree in criminal justice. Gregg was hired with Glendale Fire Department right after graduating and has served as a firefighter, Engineer and currently a Fire Captain for the past 26 years. During his 26 year career, he served on many committees, labor relations/liaison for numerous city council elections, and volunteered for local charities throughout the valley. He was the Lead Recruit Training Officer for 7 Recruit fire classes at the Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center and trained over 200 firefighters from many valley. I continue to be involved in training firefighters in specialized areas. He loves hunting, fishing, attending his kids sporting events, traveling with his family and enjoys the outdoors. He is grateful to be a part of the North County Fire Board and looks forward to learning from others and continuing his public service to the community and its firefighters.

Term Expires: December 2028

Biography:

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.