Gentry Smith

Gentry Smith is an experienced professional in diplomatic security and management, currently serving as the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security at the U.S. Department of State since August 2021. Prior roles include working as a Security Management Consultant at the Global Response Center and holding the position of Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, guiding its reestablishment as an independent regulatory body for foreign diplomatic operations in the U.S. Smith also served as Ambassador and Director of the Office of Foreign Missions from June 2014 to February 2017, overseeing the activities of numerous foreign embassies and diplomats. Previously, Gentry directed multifunctional security operations as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Countermeasures and managed Physical Security Programs. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Government from North Carolina State University, earned between 1977 and 1983.