about
Hi, I’m J.B. Smith, and I’m honored to serve as your Director for District 1 on the Sumner-Bonney Lake School Board.
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This community means everything to me. I’ve lived in the Sumner area for most of my life, and my connection to the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District runs deep. I’m a proud Sumner High graduate, as are my three daughters — Abby (Class of 2015), Annie (2018), and McAllister (2020). In fact, all of us — my daughters and I — attended Maple Lawn Elementary, Sumner Middle School, and Sumner High. My husband, Rad, taught special education and coached varsity football at Sumner High back in the '90s, and my mom, Nels Bentvelzen, was the school nurse at Bonney Lake Elementary for over a decade. This district is in my blood.
Professionally, I work as a Field Reimbursement Manager at Genentech, a biotechnology company focused on improving lives through science and innovation. My background is in psychology and genetic counseling — I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and my master’s from Sarah Lawrence College. My career has taught me the importance of clear communication, thoughtful decision-making, and always keeping people at the center of every conversation. These are the same values I bring to the school board.
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At my core, I believe that every student deserves to be known, valued, and supported. I believe in transparent communication, respectful collaboration, and making decisions that reflect what’s best for kids — not politics. I’m here to listen, to learn, and to lead with purpose.
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When I’m not working or at board meetings, you can usually find me walking, hiking, gardening, or playing pickleball with my husband and our two dogs, Sage and Cash. Rad and I will celebrate 30 years of marriage this year — and I’m still trying to beat him on the court.
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Thank you for trusting me with this opportunity to serve. I’ll keep showing up, listening closely, and doing the work to ensure our schools are places where all students can thrive.
