Christopher A. Smith

Christopher A. Smith specializes in taking complex public policy issues and finding ways to communicate them in clear and simple terms to the public, the media, and policymakers. He has spent over a decade leading advising clients on financial services and markets, asset management, tax, trade, and business strategy for C suite executives from the Fortune 500, sovereigns, trade associations, and NGOs.
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Chris brings the unique perspective of having participated in government policymaking at the highest levels in both the Executive and Legislative branches, as well as internationally.  Chris was previously Chief of Staff to U.S. Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, and Counselor to the Treasury Secretary.  He oversaw the Department's operations, and worked on major tax and entitlement reform legislation, financial markets policy, housing finance reform, terrorism finance, as well as international economic diplomacy efforts, which included Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Chris received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor of the Treasury Department.
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Prior to Treasury, Chris served on Capitol Hill on the staff of the House Committee on Ways and Means, including as Chief of Staff for Chairman Bill Archer.  He coordinated the day-to-day operations of the committee's professional staff in developing major tax reform legislation and in the areas of international trade, welfare reform, Social Security, and health care. He was a key participant in legislation implementing major trade agreements, including the Uruguay Round and North American Free Trade Agreements.
Chris received a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from The George Washington University.  He also received that program's Distinguished Alumni Award, and is currently a member of the Advisory Board for the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Chris received a BA degree in economics from Dickinson College.