| Mining and Minerals Education Foundation |
Steve Trussell Executive Director, Arizona Rock Products Association and Arizona Mining Association, Mining Advocate and Lobbyist 2022 Medal of Merit Recipient
Trussell joined Arizona Rock Products Association (ARPA) in 2002 as Community Relations Director and became the Executive Director in 2007. He is responsible for the promotion and preservation of the sustainability of the rock & construction materials industry through active involvement with Arizona public officials on the policy, regulatory and community relations challenges facing the rock products industry. In 2017, Trussell added to his responsibilities by becoming the Executive Director of the Arizona Mining Association where he showcases his advocacy for the mining industry and utilizes his skills in community relations, government affairs, regulatory processes and general legislative processes at the federal, state and local level. He serves on several boards and committees including the Technical Advisory Board for the Center of Environmentally Sustainable Mining, the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council, Executive Committee for the University of Arizona’s Mining School and the Board of Directors for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Trussell has been nominated for two national instructor of the year awards, was inducted in the Minor League Football Hall of Fame, received the Adjutant General’s Medal from the Arizona National Guard, has been recognized as Policy Leader of the Year at the Arizona State Capitol and was honored by the National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association as the State Association Executive of the Year. In addition, he has served numerous charitable organizations. His greatest accomplishment is being married to and having the opportunity to support his amazing wife, Ashley. |
Steve Trussell received a B.A. and Master’s Degree from Arizona State University and a Post Baccalaureate Degree from Ottawa University. He began his career in mining as a consultant for the Arizona Mining Association (AMA) as an advocate of the copper mining industry and later with the Arizona Foundation for Resource Education.Omar Smith
Senior Civil Engineer, WSP
2022 – MEDAL OF MERIT UNDER 40 RECIPIENT
Omar Smith holds a B.S Degree in Civil Engineering and a Minor in Mathematics from the University of Arizona. During his early years in school, Smith was convinced that structural engineering would be his career path. Through his internships during his junior and senior years, his focus switched to water resources engineering.
Upon graduating, Smith joined Castro Engineering in Tucson as a staff engineer supporting its Flood Control Section. He then moved to Knight Piésold’s Tucson Office as a staff engineer, where he expanded his H&H engineering design skills and gained experience in three-dimensional CAD design, slope stability analysis, field engineering, construction quality assurance (CQA), and technical writing.
In 2012, Smith joined URS, later becoming AECOM via acquisition, as a Project Civil Engineer in their GeoCivil Department and was eventually promoted to GeoCivil Team Leader. He supported the mining, power, and flood control industries in South America and the Southwest U.S.
In 2019, Smith joined Wood as a Senior Civil Engineer in Phoenix supporting the Geotechnical Service Line. He manages the Phoenix Civil Design Team responsible for the design of mining related facilities. In September of 2022, WSP acquired Wood.
Smith is an active member of SME and its Tucson Section. He is presently on the SME Environmental Division Executive Committee, is the Environmental Division’s Program Chair for the 2023 SME Annual Conference & Expo and is serving a 3-year commitment on the SME Structure and Governance Standing Committee. He has been involved with the SME Tucson Section for over 11 years, serving as Webmaster, Vice Chair, and as Chairman of the Section for 3 years, providing critical leadership during COVID. He presently serves as the Immediate Past Chair and Scholarship Chair.
Born in Yuma, Arizona, he lived his first years in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico. When he was 6 years old, his family moved to San Luis, Arizona. Smith attributes his success to his humble upbringing, the guidance of his mother, and the constant support he has received from his family, friends, coworkers, and mentors. In his spare time, he likes to spend time with his family, work on vintage Volkswagens, go camping, and visit a beach in Mexico on special occasions.
| MINING AND MINERALS EDUCATION FOUNDATIONP. O. Box 42317 Tucson, Arizona 85733Phone - (520) 577-7519 E-mail: |
