Dr. Julie Smith-Morrow grew up in Minnesota, lived in Puerto Rico, and raised her children in Arizona and Texas. She moved to Newport with her husband John in 2003. Julie is a graduate of Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, Wisconsin. She earned a B.S. in Agronomy and Ph.D. in Plant Genetics from Texas Tech University. Julie completed the American Records in Genealogy program with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (University of Toronto, Canada). She is owner of Genealogy of Newport.
Julie has a deep seated and personal commitment to women, children and families and is passionate about helping people put food on their tables, access quality affordable housing, send their children to good schools, and become economically independent. She served for over twenty years in leadership positions with Goodwill Industries in Lubbock, Texas, and Freestore Foodbank and Dress for Success in Cincinnati. She is past Chair of the Hamilton County Human Services Chamber, an inaugural member of Emerge Kentucky, and a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati Class 31.
Julie has served the Newport community since 2003. She was the Gateway Neighborhood Representative of the East Row Historic Foundation and Chair of the East Row’s Historic Preservation Committee. Julie served as an elected member of the Newport Board of Education (2007–2022) and as a governor’s appointee to the Gateway Community and Technical College (GCTC) Board of Directors (2014–2019). Julie was elected to the Newport Board of Commissioners in November 2022.
Julie has three sons and four grandchildren. Julie and John have renovated two historic properties in Newport’s East Row. Julie enjoys creating and caring for her gardens and relaxing around the table with family and friends.