About Smith & Company

For more than 25 years, Judy has counseled presidents and world leaders through global crises, advised Fortune 50 CEOs through complex challenges, and helped manage the reputations of some of the world’s highest-profile individuals. She founded Smith & Company, a strategic advisory firm considered to be one of the top crisis firms in the world.

In addition to her work as a communications advisor during high profile moments, Judy is a long-time counselor to some of the world’s largest and most influential companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Panera, Lowes, Sony, Kaiser, United Healthcare, and Walmart. She provides her clients with strategic advice on a variety of corporate communications issues such as mergers and acquisitions, product recalls, intellectual property litigation, corporate positioning, and other corporate, investor and public relations matters.

A former federal prosecutor, Judy worked in the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia where she handled high-profile investigations. She also served as Deputy Press Secretary to President George H.W. Bush, during which time she worked on a host of domestic and international issues.

As a result of her wide ranging and groundbreaking career, Judy inspired the hit TV series, Scandal and served as Co-Executive Producer of the project. Judy’s advice and counsel have been valuable to corporate boardrooms, and she currently serves on the board of Ariel Investments and as Chair for The Intangibles, the transformation consultancy for the intangible world. She also previously served on the boards of Global Citizen, Save the Children, Washington National Cathedral and Carbon Health.

Christopher Garrett currently serves as Managing Director of Smith & Company, a strategic advisory firm headquartered in Washington, DC.

As a strategist and media consultant he provides communications, public affairs, and issue management advice to a wide array of Fortune 500 corporations, advocacy groups, academic institutions, technology startups, non-profit organizations, as well as candidates for public office.

Described by the New York Times as “highly skilled”, Chris is adept at utilizing quantitative and qualitative research to manage complex issues and shape public opinion.

Additionally, as a crisis manager he has worked extensively in Hollywood and prepared numerous leaders for televised events including 60 Minutes, the Academy Awards, and public testimony before Congress.

A frequent speaker on the intersection of technology and public affairs, Chris has lectured at the University of Maryland and served as a consultant on the hit ABC prime-time television show, Scandal.

Chris is a member of the Washington Speechwriters Roundtable as well as the International Association of Political Consultants and has advised campaigns throughout the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Lester (Les) Pimentel is a trusted advisor to companies, executives, and high-profile individuals navigating complex reputational challenges, breaking news, and high-stakes crises. He helps clients anticipate risks, protect their reputations, and respond with clarity and confidence when it matters most.

At Smith & Company, Les counsels organizations across technology, finance, higher education, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors on crisis communications, media strategy, and reputation management.

Before joining Smith & Company, Les spent 16 years as a business and financial journalist with Reuters and Bloomberg News, reporting from around the world on corporate, economic, and geopolitical developments. As an editor at Bloomberg in New York and Los Angeles, he shaped and led coverage of major global stories, including corporate scandals, litigation, political instability in Latin America, and the impact of U.S. trade policies on companies and markets.

Les holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Government from Skidmore College and a master’s degree in journalism from New York University.

Mary Green is a Senior Vice President at Smith & Company.

Since joining Smith & Co. five years ago, Mary has handled crisis management, media relations and marketing for a wide of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, professional sports leagues and celebrities.

Prior to joining Smith & Co., Mary was a Senior Entertainment Editor at People Magazine for two decades, handling celebrity news, cover stories, film and awards season coverage across multiple platforms

Cody Boulware is a strategic advisor specializing in crisis management, reputation strategy, high-impact brand and marketing initiatives, and integrated communications across the sports, entertainment, corporate, and public affairs sectors. He advises organizations, executives, athletes, and public figures through complex, high-stakes situations, helping shape messaging, navigate reputational challenges, build strategic partnerships, and drive business and commercial outcomes.

At Smith & Company, Cody has helped lead communications and media strategy for major sports leagues, corporations, public figures, and international organizations, overseeing crisis communications, executive positioning, brand partnerships, award campaigns, and high-profile media engagements. In parallel, he has led athlete marketing and endorsement initiatives, negotiating more than eight figures in endorsement and brand partnership deals. He has also spearheaded the communications, marketing, and commercial strategy for a Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick.

Prior to joining Smith & Company, Cody worked at Kovert Creative, supporting marketing and public relations initiatives for major brands, events, and top-tier talent while contributing to award-winning digital campaigns. He was named to The Observer’s “Rising Stars: PR People Under 30,” has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times/The Athletic, and On3, and delivered the opening remarks at the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism’s 2016 commencement ceremony. Cody holds a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Film from the University of Southern California.