Andrew W. Smiley

What do you make or do, in plain words?

I plant trees. Okay, I wish that were my job. What I actually do is serve as the executive director of a nonprofit organization founded in Austin in 1989 that focuses on strengthening community by planting and caring for trees. I have the honor of supporting a talented and committed staff by ensuring they have the information, tools, and resources they need to continuously excel in their work. Fundraising and development, building and stewarding partnerships, maintaining focus on long-term strategy and annual operations, budgeting and financial oversight, and facilitating governance and accountability with our board of directors are all parts of my core function in the role of director. I also get to plant trees on occasion.

How did you land in Austin, and why did you stay?

After several visits to Austin and a bit of urging from a lifelong friend and Austin transplant, and when flexibility in my career allowed, I made the move to try it out in 2001. Staying was an easy decision, as I quickly connected with a community of friends, found a landscape that supported my interests in outdoor activities, and discovered new professional opportunities related to my background in sustainability and food systems. Austin has become home as relationships flourish, work remains fulfilling, and the town, albeit evolving, continues to support my passion for being outdoors.

What is the thing you have made or done here that you are proudest of?

Alongside an amazing group of talented and dedicated folks, I am proud to have stepped up to the helm of TreeFolks during a particularly trying time and to have guided the organization through those challenges, helping it become the regional force for tree equity and climate resilience it is today. A promising transition in leadership was tragically interrupted by an illness only a few months into my predecessor’s tenure, creating significant turmoil among staff, board, and stakeholders. Managing this massive change was my primary charge. Then, only three months into my term, I was faced with leading an organization through the perils of a global pandemic. With most of the credit going to my coworkers and my incredibly supportive board of directors, we retained focus on the mission, established an ambitious but realistic long-range plan, addressed significant social and cultural issues, and instituted a period of sustainable growth. The result I see now is a high-impact organization, supported by a committed, brilliant team of staff and volunteers, that is equipped to tackle pressing environmental problems while maintaining our commitment to strengthening healthy communities. A vital element of my leadership style has been instituting processes and policies that encourage growth and professional development and that empower all employees to contribute to decision-making. When I introduced the idea that program staff would lead our annual planning and budgeting, I referred to the task variably as program planning, operational planning, and work planning. When a colleague asked whether we were developing program, operations, or work plans, I said yes, and started calling them programmatic operational work plans, or POW! Plans, and we still refer to them when mapping out our upcoming efforts.

What is one opinion you hold about Austin that most people here would argue with?

Austin ain’t like it used to be. I can’t disagree, but there are still solid examples of homegrown excellence that keep the independent, creative spirit flourishing. Aside from the amazing restaurants and cafes, I think about Ventana Ballet, Sky Candy, Austin Camerata, Vortex Theater, Ground Floor Theatre, The Cathedral, The Canopy, HONK!TX, and all the artists who take part in the East Austin Studio Tour. These are people, groups, and spaces that don’t just preserve but actually advance the arts in Austin. I also see many small, local businesses still thriving, like my go-to bike shop, Eastside Pedal Pushers, and other favorites such as Austin Flower Company, Book People, Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, M.E. Gene Johnson Garage, Toy Joy, and, of course, all the amazing arborists and tree-care companies that keep Austin shady.

Where do you actually eat, drink, or hang out? Name real places.

I am fortunate to have many excellent options for eating, drinking, and hanging out right in my own neighborhood. Many work meetings are held at Medici on Springdale or Texas Coffee Traders off E. 7th near Pleasant Valley. I’m also lucky that my three favorite restaurants are all next to one another, and all owned by my dear friend who convinced me to move to Austin in the first place. For me, it’s Sawyer & Co. for brunch and lunch, De Nada for tacos and margaritas, and Lil’ Easy for authentic Cajun food and Abita beer. I’ll also stop in at Jacoby’s Restaurant and Murray’s Tavern for steaks and burgers, Micklethwait for barbecue, and Draught House on Medical Parkway for that authentic pub experience.

What are you working on next?

It’s likely that the issues will outlast me, but there remains an urgent need to scale up the work of TreeFolks to make sure everyone in our community has equitable access to green space and the benefits of trees. We have built a well-managed, inclusive organization doing some of the most urgent and impactful work. Now we need to multiply it by 10, or 100, or maybe 1,000, while keeping our focus on the people and places of Central Texas. I am committed to seeking out and securing the necessary resources while supporting the most amazing coworkers and connecting with the most authentic community members to make that happen. Folks reading this article can take it as a sincere invitation to join me in that pursuit.

What would you tell someone who moved here last week?

Invest, volunteer, and get involved in the things that keep this town a place you want to live. For those who enjoy pedaling, paddling, and hiking around town, donate to the many environmental groups and park conservancies that protect our waterways and natural spaces. Quoting the name of a local nonprofit fundraising group, you too could say, “I Live Here, I Give Here.” Time and talent, along with treasure, are also meaningful and fulfilling ways to contribute. Planting trees with other community members is a great way to meet people, and doing it along a muddy creekbank on a cold, rainy morning while dodging poison ivy definitely strengthens those bonds. At TreeFolks, we’ve seen countless first dates at our tree-planting events and witnessed many of those initial interactions evolve into lasting relationships and regularly returning volunteers.