Karla Smith to Succeed Ralph Sherman as Business Officer

On May 1, Karla Garrett Smith, CPA, director of Payment Services at Baylor University, will succeed Ralph Sherman as Business Officer for Information Technology Services, University Libraries, Mayborn Museum, and Baylor University Press. Sherman, who has served Baylor for 22 years as assistant vice president for Business Operations and Financial Services, will retire in June.

Smith graduated from Baylor's Hankamer School of Business with a BBA in Finance and Economics in 2008 and earned an MBA in 2015. She received CPA certification in 2020. From 2008 until 2016, Smith supported Baylor University Press as manager and then director of finance and operations. She transitioned to Baylor's accounts payable office in 2016.

"I am excited to continue my career at Baylor and embark on this journey as Business Officer for Information Technology Services, University Libraries, Mayborn Museum, and Baylor University Press," said Smith.

Smith grew up in Rockwall, Texas, and is a second-generation Baylor Bear. Her parents, Mike and Detra Garrett, met as students at Baylor in 1978, and she was married at Armstrong Browning Library & Museum. She lives in Woodway with her husband, Justin, and their dog, Sadie.