Thomas P. Smith, a member of the Senior Executive Service, joined the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2013. He currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategy, Plans, Analysis and Risk (Plans) in the Office of Policy with additional responsibilities as the DHS Coordinator for the Campaign to Secure the Southern Border and Approaches to the United States. From May 2015 through October 2016 Mr. Smith performed duties as the Assistant Secretary for Strategy, Plans, Analysis and Risk with oversight of Department strategy and analysis, planning, and Department integration processes.
Prior to joining DHS, Mr. Smith served over a 29 year career as an engineer officer in the US Army. During his military career he held numerous command and staff positions with final assignment as the Chief of Operations, Plans, and Training for the Army Corps of Engineers. In this role he integrated worldwide engineering support to military and civil organizations and led Crisis Action Teams through nationally significant response events such as Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Mississippi and Missouri River flooding in 2011, and international contingency operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Thailand, Pakistan, and Australia.
Additional senior leadership assignments include command of the Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District where he guided delivery of engineer projects, products, and services for flood risk management, navigation, environmental stewardship, and emergency operations for a six state region along the lower Mississippi River and command of the lead Army combat engineer battalion in the attack to Baghdad in 2003. He also served as the Chief of the Army Initiatives Group for the Army’s senior operations officer at the Pentagon during the peak of the Army’s war efforts in Iraq.
Mr. Smith is a combat veteran and has numerous military and civilian awards including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Valor Device, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Silver Order of the DeFleury for exemplary career service to the Engineer Regiment. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a Project Management Professional.
Mr. Smith holds a Master of Science degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the National War College in Washington, DC, a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy (West Point). He is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, Kansas and a graduate of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, Harvard University.