Acting
Deputy Director of Emergency Preparedness
Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
(225) 925-7500
Jeff Smith is the
Acting Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and
Emergency Preparedness, having been appointed on March 1, 2006 when
the office was elevated to the Louisiana Governor’s Cabinet. As the
Deputy Director for Emergency Management, he coordinated the State
of Louisiana’s response to Hurricane Katrina, the largest natural
disaster to strike American soil, eclipsing all prior disasters.
This was followed just three weeks later by Rita, one of the ten
most devastating hurricanes in history. He was also involved in the
response to several other hurricanes and tropical storms in 2005.
In his capacity as Director of GOHSEP, Mr. Smith reports directly to
the Governor.
Mr. Smith’s emergency management experience
began during his military career, which started in 1969 when he
joined the Louisiana National Guard. He has commanded at all levels
to include Company, Battalion, and Major Command. In addition, he
was the first commander of Louisiana’s Civil Support Team, Weapons
of Mass Destruction Unit. While serving in the National Guard, he
has responded to numerous disaster events including floods,
hurricanes and civil disturbances. In 2002, Col. Smith completed 34
years of service and reached his mandatory retirement date.
Smith began his tenure with the Governor’s
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in August
2004 as the State Hazard Mitigation Officer and was promoted to
Acting Deputy Director for Emergency Preparedness in December 2004.
Prior to joining GOHSEP, his experiences
included Chief Administrative Officer of parish government and was a
practicing certified public accountant managing his own firm which
provided accounting and consulting services to a wide variety of
clients, including local governments. He has an extensive
background in all aspects of financial management.
Jeff is a life long resident of Louisiana. He
and his wife, Debby, reside in Ascension Parish and have three
children and five grandchildren. He is a graduate of Louisiana
State University, the US Army Engineer Officer Basic Course, and the
US Army Engineer Advance Course, the US Army Command and General
Staff College, and various other civilian and military courses.
A few of Smith’s community activities include
past president and board member of the Rotary Club of Gonzales,
Ascension Chamber of Commerce, and the Ascension Fund for Public
Education.
