U.S. State Department official works to keep public servants safe throughout the world
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
If you ever want to know what’s going on in the world, chances are that Ambassador Gentry O. Smith, Director of the Office of Foreign Missions; United States Department of State, will know. But as one of the top officials in the State Department, he might not be able to tell you.
After more than 30 years in public service, Smith has a variety of unique experiences in some of the most unusual locations across the globe and has become an expert in foreign relations. He stopped by campus Feb. 18 to share some of those experiences, along with lessons learned along the way, with the Lipscomb community during two special presentations hosted by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and its department of history, politics and philosophy.
Smith led a discussion of “Community Service and Global Leadership: My Journey” during a chapel talk and was a part of a panel discussion on the topic of “Bringing People to the Table: How the U.S. Department of State ensures foreign diplomats work together, share ideas and make the world a better place.”
Among Smith’s key responsibilities are making sure the more than 33,000 foreign diplomats in the United States based in the embassies, consulates and international organizations such as the World Bank and the Organization of American States are safe and that they receive the privileges they are entitled to based on the international conventions or on agreements between countries . Ensuring that national security and foreign policy interests are protected are also top priorities for Smith.
Smith, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to his current position on June 15, 2015, has devoted more than 30 years to public service. He has been a member of the Senior Foreign Service since 2006, including missions in Tokyo, Japan; Rangoon, Burma; and Cairo, Egypt. As Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, Smith is responsible for ensuring foreign diplomats comply with guidelines governing diplomatic privileges and immunities granted by the United States government; improving the treatment of U.S. missions and their personnel abroad; and providing service to the foreign diplomatic and consular community in the U.S. in matters such as tax, customs, property and motor vehicles.
Prior to this appointment, Smith served in the Bureau of Diplomatic Security as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Countermeasures. As such, he supervised the development of security standards and policies associated with the physical and technical security of U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. Smith began his career with the U.S. Department of State in 1987. During this time, Smith has served as Director of the Office of Physical Security Programs.
During his career Smith has seen numerous significant changes in the world such as the end of the Cold War and more opportunities to build relationships with numerous countries.
“Some countries that most people would look at as major adversaries are actually places where we have great cooperation,” says Smith. “We get good benefits in some of the most unlikely of locations based on the fact that we have very strong agreements with those countries.”
Smith says that diplomacy is sometimes the only tool available to bring to the table in matters of foreign policy.
“We can’t always project another type of power, and so it is important that we remain engaged,” he says. “Even when we don’t see things eye-to-eye, it’s important that we remain professional enough to sit down and actually have conversations to see what our differences are and to help bridge those gaps and address those issues where we may not share the same thoughts.”
Smith, who has traveled to more than 50 countries on official business during his career, says he has had numerous experiences that he never expected when he began his career in foreign relations.
“I’ve had a front row seat to so much history,” says Smith. “I’ve gotten to witness the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Middle East peace process and so much more. And when I see these types of events and changes happening I know that what I’m doing matters. I take a lot of pride in that. I love what I do because of the impact it has on others.”
He has experienced a lot of cultures and seen a lot of things.
“I enjoy engaging with different cultures and debunking some of the stereotypes that people have,” he admits. “There is great diversity in our world. But there has not been a single culture that I’ve gone into where family isn’t important. It’s universal. If you present yourself with respect for others and find common ground, you will build a relationship. Our relationships matter.”
A graduate of North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Smith says institutions such as Lipscomb University are important to the future of the foreign relations field.
“It has been so invigorating to be at Lipscomb,” he says. “Institutions like Lipscomb that value integrity and ethics are invaluable as they are preparing young men and women who will be the ones to ensure that U.S. ambassadors and those from other nations are protected and able to perform their very important jobs in the future.”
Everyone has a role as an ambassador, Smith says, and he encourages young people to consider a career in public service and especially Foreign Service.
“It is a great calling to have a career in public service and foreign missions,” says Smith. “It’s a great comfort to know that there are others coming after me who will have the right tools and knowledge to be the light in the world. I am delighted in the interest of those I’ve met at Lipscomb.”
Smith says there is work in foreign diplomacy for college graduates with nearly any academic major and background. To read more about careers with the U.S. Department of State, visit www.state.gov/careers.
—Photos by Kristi Jones