CGA Team
Gentry Smith,
Senior Advisor
Gentry Smith is a Diplomatic Security beacon in the U.S. Department of State, leading and instituting safe and secure diplomatic operations in critical foreign environments. For over 30 years, Smith has strategically navigated teams through the 33 Diplomatic Security offices, 280 Embassies and Consulates, leveraging his worldwide investigative and law enforcement expertise in more than 170 countries, including postings in Cairo, Tokyo, and Yangon (Rangoon).
A dedicated security professional, Smith consistently advances public safety and national security interests through essential organizations, including the Office of Foreign Missions, Diplomatic Security, Physical Security Programs, Security Technology, Security Countermeasures, and Research and Development Security Programs. Smith energized collaborative and innovative ways of thinking in leading multicultural environments, as demonstrated through his training of Egyptian law enforcement, Burmese security personnel, the Tokyo Metro Police Department, and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Today, he spearheads a $6 billion budget, scaling as a mentor and coach to a global workforce of 48,000 employees. He liaises with executive leadership and foreign counterparts in friendly countries, enhancing security operations using information sharing and establishing exchange programs.
Smith has partnered with major corporations, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations to ensure the security and safety of U.S. citizens. Similarly, he serves law enforcement to secure and protect national security, collaborating with over 400 ambassadors domestically across all agencies, including the U.S. Intelligence Community, the U.S. Military, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the U.S. National Security Council. Smith served as a protector of three United States Secretaries of State (SecState) as well as visiting foreign dignitaries.
Recognized as an expert instructor, Smith collaborates with Fortune 500 Chief Security Officers (CSOs) in Financial Services, Investment firms, 501(c)(3) organizations, and foreign law enforcement agencies, executing innovative approaches and delivering rapid, comprehensive solutions. He strengthens United States personnel and businesses operating in high-risk areas, improving counterterrorism awareness as well as physical and cyber security challenges, including premier events like the World Cup and Olympics.
Smith achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University. His professional law enforcement background was formed through the North Carolina Justice Academy and Federal Law Enforcement certifications, in addition to State Department, foreign dignitary protection details, security clearance investigations, and foreign deployments in response to increased threats. He has diverse experience in criminal investigations as well as Police-Student community security and safety programs.
Smith’s accreditations include Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Security clearances.