Even when she was just starting out, Carey Smith G’91 knew management was the direction she wanted to take her career. Like many promising young engineers, she wanted to work at IBM and took a position as a systems engineer at their Owego, New York site right after she graduated from Ohio Northern University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
IBM’s Owego site supported special operations, and she worked on avionics system engineering and software development. She would be involved with a system throughout its entire life cycle from design and development to integration and testing. That broad view of problem solving and mission effectiveness helped inspire a desire in her to lead.
Carey Smith
“Engineering gives you a background,” says Smith. “The ability to ask questions. You have the technical background to ask the right questions.”
Smith decided to take advantage of a unique partnership between IBM and Syracuse University. Engineering and Computer Science faculty would travel to IBM’s campus twice a week and teach classes onsite for IBM employees who wanted to earn a master’s degree while they were working.
“It was a very good program and allowed me to move forward with my education while still working at IBM,” says Smith. “Syracuse is such a well-regarded university and the faculty were outstanding.”
Her first move into management was as a flight simulation engineering department manager at IBM. That led to managerial promotions at IBM and then leadership roles with Loral Corporation (acquired IBM Federal), Lockheed Martin (acquired Loral) and Honeywell. In 2016, she joined Parsons as president of the company’s Federal Business Unit. She was promoted to chief operating officer (COO) in 2018, president and COO in 2019, assumed the role of chief executive officer in 2021, and now serves as Parsons Corporation’s Chair, President and CEO.
Her first three years as CEO of Parsons Corporation marked a significant chapter in the company’s evolution from a traditional engineering firm to an advanced technology leader in national security and critical infrastructure. Since assuming the role of CEO in 2021, Smith has steered the organization through substantial growth and transformation.
Under Smith’s leadership, Parsons embraced digital solutions and technology innovation. She has strategically focused the company on high-growth markets, high profit and enduring markets including space and missile defense, cyber and intelligence, critical infrastructure protection, transportation, environmental remediation and urban development. She also initiated internal research and development and acquired 14 technology-differentiated companies since 2017 to be an industry leader in applying innovation and technology across Parsons’ global infrastructure and national security portfolios. This forward-thinking approach has helped Parsons secure significant contracts and expand its market presence.
“I have tried to look at our customer’s emerging challenges and define solutions to meet their needs,” says Smith. “Not things that have been done before. We’re about starting with a clean piece of paper.”
Parsons unique position as a global leader in both national security and global infrastructure allows them to offer coordinated services that are in high demand.
“Utilities, water companies, transportation and health care have to be protected against cyber threats. We are a unique company that has the domain understanding for example of how a rail and transit system works coupled with the cyber capabilities to protect the domain,” says Smith.
Parsons has achieved remarkable business growth and financial performance in the past three years. The company’s strategic acquisitions have expanded its capabilities and market reach. This growth strategy has been balanced with organic expansion and internal innovation initiatives. Smith credits the company’s outstanding performance to the hard work and dedication of Parsons’ nearly 20,000 employees in 50 states and 20+ countries around the globe. Her leadership style combines strategic business acumen with a deep understanding of the importance of human capital in driving organizational success.
“I wanted to create a person first culture,” says Smith. “Our leadership supports employees.”
While Parsons is well positioned for the future, Smith is still prioritizing growth, innovation and emerging technologies. She believes her engineering background has been key to her success in navigating change while leading a global corporation. She encourages young engineers and computer scientists who are considering management roles to gain as much experience as they can on a company’s business side.
“You have to have strong technical acumen along with strong business acumen,” says Smith. “That’s the way I operate–with a focus on delivering results.”
While she took all her classes remotely, Smith is still proud of her connection to Syracuse University and the important role it played in her career journey.
“I’m always proud to be a Syracuse alum. It is a wonderful university.”
