A.T. Smith, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, is an independent consultant specializing in business development in the security, investigations, and privacy space. He is currently the Law Enforcement Analyst for CBS News.
Mr. Smith served as Senior Advisor with the Department of Homeland Security – ICE/HSI on matters involving cybersecurity and transnational organized crime. Mr. Smith spent 29 years with the United States Secret Service. He served as Deputy Director of the Secret Service from April 2012 – February 2015. As Deputy Director, Mr. Smith directed the agency’s daily operations, including approximately 7,000 personnel and $1.8 billion budget. He also developed and implemented policy as it relates to the agency’s investigative and protective mission.
Mr. Smith rose through the ranks, having begun his Secret Service career in 1986 as a Special Agent assigned to the Miami Field Office. He has since served in numerous assignments which include: Assistant Director – Investigations 2010-2012; Assistant Director – Human Resources and Training 2008-2010; Deputy Assistant Director – Office of Investigations 2006-2008; Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office 2003–2006; Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service training academy; Executive Assistant to the Director; and Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division. Mr. Smith was a member of the U.S. Government Senior Executive Service, and was the highest ranking Native American in federal Law enforcement.
Mr. Smith’s law enforcement career began in 1978 when he started working as a communications dispatcher for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Subsequently, while employed by the Sheriff’s Office for eight years, Mr. Smith held the positions of uniformed Deputy, Sergeant and Lieutenant.
Mr. Smith holds two master’s degrees; a Master of Science in Management from the School of Business - Johns Hopkins University (2004); and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama (1993). His undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina (1984).
He has received numerous citations of merit as well as public service and law enforcement awards. In September 2010, he received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service. He has also received the Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s Silver Medal and the Secretary’s Award of Excellence respectively for his work in the greater New York area. Additionally, Mr. Smith received awards from the New York’s Finest Foundation and the American Society of Industrial Security.
Prior to serving as Deputy Director, Mr. Smith served as the Assistant Director of the Office of Investigations. In this capacity, he developed and implemented policy for all Secret Service criminal investigations pertaining to counterfeit currency, financial, electronic and cyber crimes, and oversaw multiple investigative divisions and more than 160 domestic and international offices. During his assignment to the Office of Human Resources and Training, Mr. Smith served as a member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board (FLETA). This Board reviews and awards accreditation certification to training academies and academic processes within federal law enforcement.
While serving as the agent in charge in New York, Mr. Smith was appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to the position of Principal Federal Official for the tri-state region of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, where he oversaw planning for the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City. He also coordinated the comprehensive security plan for United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 60th Anniversary which resulted in one of the largest gathering of world leaders in history. Additionally, UNGA 60 was one of the largest protective missions ever undertaken by the United States Secret Service in its more than 150-year history. During his tenure in New York, Mr. Smith also served on the Executive Board of the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the largest such program in the United States. This program operates under the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President.
Mr. Smith is frequently invited to speak to a variety of audiences about law enforcement and criminal justice topics as well as his career and achievements. He has lectured at the Sam Walton and Fulbright School of Business at the University of Arkansas. Mr. Smith has taught criminal justice classes at Greenville Technical College and has authored publications in Law Enforcement and Legal journals. He is former chair of the board of advisors for the Center for Identity, University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Smith is also an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service and National Sheriff’s Association member.