From 1983 to 1987, Gentry Smith patrolled the streets for the Raleigh Police Department.
This week, he returned to North Carolina as the State Department’s Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security, which is the agency’s law enforcement arm. He came to Concord to view the first Suburban Shields that will roll off the GM Defense production line in early November.
The Shield looks like a traditional Chevy Suburban but is loaded with armor to protect diplomats and other VIPs in dangerous locations. It’s part of GM’s push into defense contracting, which Business North Carolina described in a May magazine story.
After taking a test drive, Smith told the Torque News publication that “It had good acceleration, handled better in the turns and the heavy-duty anti-lock braking system was far superior to our aftermarket vehicles.”
He said the new SUV was a cost-effective product that will help ensure the safe and secure conduct of foreign policy in some of our most challenging and dangerous posts.” The vehicles are based on the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2.
Smith grew up in Weldon and earned a bachelor’s degree at NC State University. He has worked for the State Department since leaving Raleigh. The diplomatic security service has about 47,000 employees who provide protection in 170 nations.
During the visit, he joined GM Defense President Stephen DuMont and Paul Beaker, the group’s chief engineer and director of advanced product development, and other GM executives. He praised GM’s effort to build the protective armor into the design and manufacturing process. Previously, the vehicles were built and sent to an upfitter, who added the armor.
The process enabled GM to improve brakes and other systems to handle the much heavier Shield. GM Defense won a $300 million contract to build the SUVs for the State Department and a dozen other federal agencies, Torque News reported. GM is also seeking sales of the Shield from foreign nations.
GM built the facility adjacent to Hendrick Motorsports’ operation near Charlotte Motor Speedway because the two companies work together on various projects. In addition to the Suburban Shield, GM is also producing Infantry Squad Vehicles for battlefield operations .
Hendrick Motorsports employs about 600 people and is best known for its NASCAR racing teams. But owner Rick Hendrick has more than 100 employees working on defense-related projects.
