Fred Smith (North Carolina politician)
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Fred Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 12th district | |
| In office January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Allen Wellons (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | David Rouzer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 27, 1942 Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Virginia Reid Smith |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Needham B. Broughton High School |
| Alma mater | Wake Forest University |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Captain |
Fred Smith (born March 27, 1942) is a North Carolina politician who served in the North Carolina Senate and ran for Governor of North Carolina in 2008.
Smith was raised in Raleigh, North Carolina.[1] His father was a teacher and coach at an orphanage, and his mother was a homemaker. While attending Raleigh's Needham B. Broughton High School, Smith earned a football scholarship to attend Wake Forest University. Subsequently, he attended Wake Forest University School of Law, where he graduated with honors in 1966.
Smith is married to Virginia Reid Smith, is father to five children, and is grandfather to seven children. The Smith family is active in the First Baptist Church of Clayton, where he has been a Sunday school teacher.
Military and business career
Smith served as a captain in the U.S. Army JAG Corps for four years after law school. In the years that followed, Smith became a lawyer and homebuilder. Smith's businesses employ more than 600 people in Wake and Johnston counties. The largest of those companies is paving company CC Mangum, of which he is the CEO. Smith also created the Fred Smith Company, which builds homes and constructs golf courses and athletic clubs.[2] Smith touts himself as a CEO, not a politician, who deals with "straight talk and a clear vision."[3]