Rollie Smith

Rollie Smith has a strong background in community service and education, and helped form the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization. He heads the Fresno office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and chairs the Sustainable Communities Committee of the Federal Regional Council, a consortium of 19 federal agencies in five states.

He cites an analysis that showed the Valley could get 25% of its power from alternative sources, and could even sell energy to other regions by 2025. “Energy independent for the Valley is within our grasp,” he said.

Smith has been executive director of Catholic Charities, is a professional organizer and ran community planning and development groups in Hawaii, Cleveland and Fresno.

He came to public service and HUD through the Community Builder fellowship program in 1997.

He received a Bachelor’s in Classical Literature from Loyola University in Chicago, a Master’s in Philosophy from Loyola, a Master’s in Theology from Jesuit Theological School and a Master’s in Social Ethics from University of Chicago.

He has taught at California State University, San Jose; Loyola University Chicago; University of Hawaii and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.