"I'm not a politician; I'm a CEO who ran for public office five years ago. In the world I live in, we deal with straight talk and clear vision."

The principles that have guided Fred Smith are grounded in his parent's strong influence and his childhood experiences growing up at the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh, NC.

Fred's father was a teacher and coach there, and his mom served as a cottage "housemother." As a child, Fred played football and baseball, delivered a morning paper route, and was active in athletics, church programs and the Boy Scouts. While attending Raleigh's Broughton High School, Fred won a football scholarship to attend Wake Forest University. Subsequently, he worked his way through Wake Forest Law School where he graduated with honors in 1966.

Senator Smith served his country as a Captain in the United States Army JAG Corps for four years after law school. In the years that followed, Fred Smith became a successful attorney, entrepreneur, farmer/cattleman and homebuilder. Today, Senator Smith's family businesses provide over 600 jobs in Wake and Johnston Counties.

Fred is a committed father and husband to his five children and his wife Ginny. The Smith family is also active in the First Baptist Church of Clayton, where Fred is a Sunday school teacher. The Smiths have a strong commitment to their community -- often involving both their businesses and their individual interests.

Since assuming office in the State Senate, Smith has worked to implement his positive agenda of creating jobs, improving education, and protecting family values. Most recently, Senator Smith has joined with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight for a critical east-west transportation corridor, support an Amendment to the state Constitution defending marriage, and set spending priorities with a Taxpayer Protection Act. Fred's leadership has been applauded by conservatives across North Carolina.

Biography

Personal

Born: March 27, 1942 - Raleigh, NC

Parents: Fred and Eudell Smith

Father was a teacher and coach at the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh and then was Manager of the NC Baptist Assembly in Southport, NC.

Mother was housemother at the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh and then was a teacher and principal in public schools in Garner and Wilmington.

Married: Virginia (Ginny) Reid Smith

Children: David and Heather Smithdeal, Jule and Alisa Smith, Jake and Amber Austin, Duval Smith, Reid Smith

Grandchildren: Grant Austin, Andrew Austin, Mary Stanford Austin, Anna Grace Austin, Ardyn Smith and Lila Smith.

Education

Broughton High School (1960)

Wake Forest University, B.A. (1964); J.D., cum laude, (1966)
Attended Wake Forest on a football scholarship

North Carolina Bar-Admitted (1966)

U.S. District Court, Middle and Eastern Districts of North Carolina

Military Service

Captain, U.S. Army, JAGC (1966-1970)

Staff and Faculty at Judge Advocate General's School at University of Virginia (1966-1968)

Staff Judge Advocate, Pine Bluff Arsenal, Pine Bluff, Arkansas (1968-1970)

Army Commendation Medal: First Oak Leaf Cluster

Public Service

North Carolina State Senator - District 12

Member, Johnston County Board of Commissioners

Chairman, Johnston County Transportation Committee

Member, Johnston County Comprehensive Planning Committee

Business

President, Fred Smith Company

Chief Executive Officer, C.C. Mangum Company

Managing Partner, Sunbelt Golf Group, L.L.C.

Chairman of the Board, North State Bank

Past Managing Partner, Smith Debnam Hibbert & Pahl, (now Smith Debnam Narron Wyche Story & Myers) LLP

Membership & Activities

National Golf Course Owners Association Member;

President - Commercial Law League of America 1989-1990, Member Since 1970;

American, North Carolina and Wake County Bar Associations

Chairman, Law Office Management Section, North Carolina Bar Association;

Annual Lecturer, Practical Skills Seminar, North Carolina Bar Association;

Past Member, Board of Directors, Raleigh Rescue Mission;

North Carolina Cattleman's Association, President (1982)

Past Member Board of Trustees, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC;

Member Law Board of Visitors, Wake Forest University;

Past Member, Clayton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors;

Member - Board of Trustees, Campbell University

Member- American Legion Post 71 in Clayton

Founder, Artists-in-the-Schools Program, Johnston County Schools

Church Activities

First Baptist Church of Clayton: Past Chairman Board of Deacons; Past Chairman, Board of Trustees;

Past Superintendent of Sunday School; Sunday School Teacher, Adult Men's Class

Hobbies

Triathlons, Skiing, and Golf