Stephen Gregory Smith

A Georgia native, Steve Smith has dedicated 35 years to distinguished military service.

Steve’s most recent leadership role was Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command at Ft. Bragg, NC. In this role, he oversaw readiness and modernization for 70 percent of the U.S. Army across all components — Active, Guard, and Reserve — with responsibility for a $5 billion budget, as he led the command’s transformation from the Army’s largest command into its newest Army Service Component Command. The new command simultaneously supported U.S. Southern Command and Northern Command, contributing to Homeland Defense in North America and advancing Army theater security cooperation across 31 nations in Central and South America.

Throughout his career, Steve has held high-impact leadership and advisory roles both in the United States and abroad, including assignments in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Germany, Alaska, and Korea. A skilled operational and strategic planner, he has consistently delivered results in crisis management, organizational transformation, and risk mitigation.

Previously, as Commanding General of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Steve led a workforce of 20,000 Soldiers, ensuring their readiness for operations across the Pacific in support of U.S. Army Pacific Command.

Earlier in his career, Steve served as Joint Director of Operations in Iraq and Syria during the most lethal period of the counter-ISIS fight in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. He also commanded the Army’s Field Artillery Branch and School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he oversaw doctrine, training, leadership development, talent management, and emerging multi-domain requirements for the Field Artillery. Across these roles, his leadership consistently emphasized trust, discipline, high standards, innovation, and endurance.

Steve is known for a humble, people-centered leadership style and a proven ability to guide organizations through uncertainty and complexity. He empowers teams to deliver results with confidence, even in the most demanding environments. His operational experience spans four combatant commands — CENTCOM, PACOM, NORTHCOM, and SOUTHCOM — as well as extensive institutional leadership within the Army itself, making him a valuable asset to any organization seeking transformative leadership and strategic vision.

A graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in 1991. He went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.