LTG Leslie C. Smith, USA, Ret., currently serves as the Carter Chair for leadership at Georgia Southern, LV Smith Corporate Group CEO, and on several corporate boards. He received his commission from Georgia Southern University (GSU) in 1983 as a Field Artillery Officer. In 1985, he graduated from GSU with a BS in accounting and as a distinguished military graduate and branched as a chemical officer. His final assignment on active duty (2018–2021) was as The Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Army; he was the first chemical officer to serve in that position. Other assignments in his career included command of the 83d Chemical Battalion when some of its elements were deploying in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. He was also the 25th Chief of Chemical and Commandant of the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School.

His military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, and the Command and General Staff College. He also has MAs from Central Michigan University and the National Defense University. LTG Smith and his wife, Vanedra, have two daughters.