GREG SMITH - SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION
To say Greg Smith’s career journey has been filled with interesting stories would be an understatement. Out of high school, he toured with musical acts Willie Nelson, Journey, Foreigner, and Pink Floyd, before embarking on a 20-plus-year journey with the United States Navy. Following his tour of duty, which included 14 combat deployments, he moved to the Charlotte area, and began his time at what was then known as JHE Production Group in 2007, first driving trucks for the Nextel Experience.
Over the years, Greg’s role has consistently evolved from truck driver, to tour operator, to director of planning and safety to his current role as senior director of Production. In his current role, he oversees warehouse operations along with planning and permitting processes for all of CSM Production’s projects. He also supervises CSMP’s safety and certification processes, a role that is constantly evolving.
A native of Lima, Ohio., Greg currently lives in Salisbury, N.C, and has a Weimaraner named Gatlin.
TEN QUESTIONS WITH GREG
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Never be afraid to tell a mama her baby’s ugly.”
What’s one thing on your bucket list you’ve yet to accomplish?
My dad always wanted to visit Mt. Rushmore. I’m designing my parents a new gravestone. I want to take pictures of Mt. Rushmore and then superimpose him over that for the gravestone.
What’s the most rewarding thing about working at CSM Production?
It’s like a family here. There’ a core group of us that have all been at CSMP for the same about of time, and we have conversations, even outside of the chain of command, but we all have a habit of talking and hashing things out.
If you were in a Zombie Apocalypse, which three people, living, dead or fictional, would you want on your side to fight off the Zombies?
My dad, Chris Kyle, and Brandon Stegall.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A truck driver. That was the only thing I ever thought of.
If you could learn one skill, personal or professional, what would it be?
Structural Engineering. That’s a degree and title that I’d love to have under my belt.
What’s your favorite sandwich?
I would go with a “Southern” from A.J.’s - a deep-fried chicken breast, with Swiss cheese, bacon, and chipotle mayo — then you can add whatever you want to it, and I usually do.
If you were a baseball player, what would your walk up music be?
The Tribe, by Armin van Buren.
If you were going to sail around the world, what would you name your boat?
“Music.” When you live a nomad’s life, you have very few things that you can carry with you. When I was deployed, I always had cassette tapes. My house growing up was always full of music. I grew up around it — my dad hated it, but my mom fostered it in me. Music has just been there the whole time for me.
If you had your own late-night talk show, who would be the first guest?
General Patton.