New P&Z Director

Grand County Welcomes New Planning & Zoning Director Andrew Jackson


Grand County | November 14, 2025

Grand County has chosen Andrew Jackson, an experienced planner, educator, and long-time Utah professional, as its new Planning & Zoning Director. He plans to officially start in this key role on November 24, 2025.


Jackson has more than 35 years of planning experience. He spent two decades teaching planning and city management at BYU, worked closely with the Utah Legislature, and has recently consulted with Grand County on land use issues. He holds certifications in both planning and transportation planning and has built strong relationships with state leaders. 
Andrew Jackson

This experience provides Grand County with a director who can hit the ground running during an important time.

"Andrew brings the right combination of experience, consistency, and deep understanding of Grand County’s unique planning landscape,” said County Administrator Mark Tyner. “He comes to this role with his eyes wide open and a clear, steady approach that positions the Planning & Zoning Department for long-term stability and success." 

Jackson is familiar with the challenges the department has faced in recent years, including turnover, vacancies, and the complex task of updating the County’s land use code. He emphasized that these issues are not obstacles, but opportunities to do the work he loves most.

"I’ve followed Grand County closely and worked directly inside the department this year,” Jackson said. “None of the challenges are surprises. This is the work I’ve done my entire career, bringing clarity, consistency, and calm to complex planning issues. My goal is to make Grand County’s planning documents easy to understand for every resident, not just planners."

Jackson plans to build a strong, people-focused team centered on stability, clear processes, and a culture that supports both staff and the public. With decades of experience mentoring and training new planners, he views team building as one of his first long-term priorities.

“You hire people for what they know, but you keep them for who they are,” he said. “If someone loves Grand County and is the right kind of person, I can teach them to be a planner. What matters most is creating a department where people feel supported, confident, and proud of their work.”

Outside of work, Jackson said he will soon relocate to the Moab area and looks forward to integrating into the community. Residents may recognize him by his signature Hawaiian shirts or from seeing him around town in his restored 1972 Opel. A long-time visitor to Moab since 1989, he also enjoys off-roading in his Jeep, restoring classic cars, traveling to beach destinations, and rediscovering his earlier passions for painting and woodcarving, which are inspired by the region’s landscapes.

“I’m excited to come back to full-time planning,” Jackson said. “This is the work I care about. Grand County deserves a planning department that is steady, clear, and built to last, and I’m ready to get to work.”