Prior to holding an elected position, Mr. Smith has maintained his place in the community as an upstanding business man since 1965. He is owner and operator of Smith Enterprises which includes Smith's Superette, a community convenience store. The Smith's also operated a Goodyear franchise in the Jackson Mall area for more than ten years. Additionally, George S. Smith is a licensed professional Insurance Agent, since 1988.
George S. Smith's introduction to government and public service came as a result of him accepting a job with the Governor to serve as Senior Staff Member and Advisor for Economic Development. He was the first black appointed to serve on both the Building Commission, and the State Medicaid Commission.
As an elected official, Supervisor Smith is fully committed to serving Hinds County, and always eager to attend various functions as needed to maintain his personal high-level of community interest and support. He is a seasoned county official who works diligently on the local and national levels to address the needs of his county government. Mr. Smith is especially interested in economic development projects which can help to foster the creation of jobs. He promotes and supports the adoption of local policy that is considered "business friendly," since attracting new businesses is one of his most special interests.
The respect George Smith has fostered among his peers is evident by him having served several terms as both President and Vice President of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Smith works closely with, and within the National Association of Counties, where he serves as Vice Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee, and as a member of the National Association of Black County Officials.
Born and raised in Hinds County, Mississippi, George S. Smith is a member of the Collis Hill Church of Christ Holiness, USA in Terry; he attended Sumner Hill High School, Utica Junior College and Jackson State University. He received a Special Recognition Award as Outstanding Alumni from Jackson State University/Hinds Alumni Chapter in 1985; and received a Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement in Government from Jackson State University/National Alumni in 1986. In February, 2003, Mr. Smith received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Hinds Community College, Utica Campus.
Supervisor George S. Smith sometime agrees with others that the measure of his dedication to public service causes him to rise earlier mornings, and/or retire later evenings than many; but, then he sums it all up as his individual calling. He said, ... "many people spend a whole lifetime never able to identify their real purpose for existence, but I know truly that I'm supposed to be helping other people; providing services to improve the lives of all people. I am blessed that I have both, identified and accepted my calling as a public servant. I love what I do."
Some other involvements of District 5 Supervisor George S. Smith, present and past, are as follows:
- Mississippi Rural Development Council
- Mississippi Hall of Fame Sports Foundation
- Central Mississippi Planning & Development District
- Mississippi Consortium for International Development
- Mississippi Ballet International USA, Inc.
- John Bell Williams Airport Authority
- Hinds Community College Development Foundation
- Governor's Commission on Electronic Government
- Downtown Convention Advisory Committee
- Minority Economic Development (MED) Week Steering Committee
- Jackson State University National Youth Sport Program
- 100 Black Men of Jackson
- The NAACP
- American Red Cross
- Hinds County Private Industry Council
- Hinds County Health Alliance
- Jackson State University Parkway Commission
- Jackson State University E-City Committee
- Mississippi State Committee on Taxation
- Delta Regional Authority
- Jackson Metro Housing Partnership
- Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce
- Project HOOP-West Jackson Housing Partnership
- West Jackson Community Development Corporation
- Metro YMCA
- Goodwill Industries
- Operation Heartbeat of the American Heart Association
- National Urban League
- National Business League
