A.T. Smith, Financial Crimes Leadership, District of Columbia 2012

WASHINGTON D.C. – While the agency remains tight-lipped about ongoing probes into increasingly sophisticated financial crimes hitting American streets, the U.S. Secret Service just made a power shift. Director Mark Sullivan announced the appointment of A.T. Smith as Deputy Director, effective April 8, 2012. The move, ostensibly about internal structure, comes as the agency faces mounting pressure to crack down on everything from counterfeit currency to the exploding world of electronic fraud.

Smith, a 25-year veteran, currently held the post of Assistant Director of the Office of Investigations. That means he’s been the guy overseeing the investigations into counterfeit cash, financial scams, and the ever-present threat of electronic crimes. He’s responsible for policy development and implementation across a vast network – more than 160 domestic and international offices. While the brass touts his “focused and consummate professional” reputation, the real question is whether this appointment will translate into boots on the ground and real arrests.

Before climbing the ranks within the Secret Service, Smith spent eight years as a law enforcement officer in Greenville County, South Carolina, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. He joined the Secret Service in 1986, starting in the Miami Field Office. His career path has been a steady climb through key positions – Assistant Director of Human Resources and Training, Deputy Assistant Director of Investigations, and a stint as Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office. These aren’t just administrative roles; they’re the positions that put agents on the front lines.

Smith’s experience extends beyond traditional criminal investigations. He was appointed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the Principal Federal Official for the tri-state area during the United Nations General Assembly’s 60th Anniversary – a massive undertaking that the Secret Service called its largest protective mission in its 146-year history. He also sat on the Executive Board of the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, a program under the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, indicating a willingness to collaborate on multi-agency operations. The UNGA 60 operation was, to put it mildly, a logistical nightmare and a huge test for any leader.

The accolades are piling up. Smith received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 2010, the Secretary’s Silver Medal from DHS in 2006, and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s Award of Excellence in 2004 for his work during the Republican National Convention. He’s also been recognized by New York’s Finest Foundation and the American Society of Industrial Security. These awards are a testament to his service, but they don’t guarantee success in tackling the complex financial crimes that are bleeding the country dry.

Smith’s two master’s degrees – a Master of Science in Management – suggest an analytical mind. He also served on the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board (FLETA), reviewing training programs for federal agencies. The question now is whether he can apply that knowledge and experience to lead the Secret Service in a new direction, one that prioritizes proactive investigation and disruption of the criminal networks that are exploiting the financial system. The Grimy Times will be watching closely.

Source: https://www.secretservice.gov/newsroom/releases/2012/03/smith-appointed-deputy-director-united-states-secret-service