Chris Smith

Chief Information Security Officer

Direct Line: 865-988-0776
Email: csmith@lcub.com

Chris Smith is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at LCUB, responsible for cybersecurity strategy and governance, cyber risk management, incident response and recovery, compliance and auditing, security operations, cyber awareness training, and data center oversight. Chris has been with LCUB for two years, bringing extensive leadership and cybersecurity experience from both national security and utility sectors.

Before joining LCUB, he served as Cybersecurity Group Leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, leading a team of 19 professionals responsible for cyber operations, engineering, and governance across eight research directorates. Chris also serves in the Tennessee Air National Guard as Commander of the 228th Cyber Operations Group, directing nearly 275 airmen and U.S. Air Force civilians in support of the 16th Air Force (Cyber and Intelligence) and U.S. Cyber Command.

Over his 28-year military career, he has commanded two squadrons, chaired the Cyber Weapon Systems Council for the Air National Guard, and deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003 and 2005). An East Tennessee native, Chris earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Tennessee in 1993, where he also played baseball. He later completed an MBA, a Master’s from the USAF Air Command and Staff College, and a Master’s in Cybersecurity from Excelsior University. Chris is married and the proud father of two adult daughters.