Fazio is Emeritus Professor of Conservation Social Sciences at the University of Idaho. During his 35-year career in the College of Natural Resources he taught courses in conservation history, public relations for natural resource managers, recreation resource management and urban forestry. He also taught special topics courses in entrepreneurial enterprises, international conservation and, during the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial, a course on the expedition in Idaho. During his career he served as department head, associate dean for academics and continuing education, and for the final 3 years, university ombudsman. In December 2009, he retired from the university but continues as writer/editor for the Arbor Day Foundation and assists his wife with Woodland Enterprises, the family's business that includes: Woodland Catalog featuring commercially-available Smokey Bear products; Northwest Showcase, an outlet for regional art and craft items; and a JCPenney catalog store. He is author of hundreds of articles and several books, including Across the Snowy Ranges: The Lewis & Clark Expedition in Idaho and Western Montana.

Fazio joined the Foundation in 1983. He became a member of the board of directors in 1986, served on a variety of committees including program chair of the annual meeting in 1990 and as a member of the annual meeting planning committee in 2010 (both in Lewiston, Idaho). He served as president of the Foundation from 1992-1993. In Idaho, he was an original member of the governor's Lewis & Clark Trail Committee when it was created by executive order in 1983 and became chairman in 1984. In 1985, he became a founding member of the Idaho Chapter of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation and served as chair from 1986-1990. Fazio served as a board member of the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial during the entire period of bicentennial planning and commemoration.