Smith Named Interim Chief Operating Officer of TROY’s Montgomery Campus

Jim Smith has been named interim Chief Operating Officer for Troy University’s Montgomery Campus.

Smith takes over oversight of campus operations after Ray White retires and no longer works full-time at the university.

“Jim Smith is a tireless worker who is committed to student success on our Montgomery Campus,” said Dr. Kerry Palmer, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “His dedication to quality, coupled with his understanding of TROY’s role in the Montgomery area, will be a tremendous asset to us.”

Smith has been a member of the TROY staff since 2011. He began his duties at TROY by overseeing the Montgomery Campus’ international students and establishing a campus leadership program. Later in 2011, he was named Associate Dean of Student Services for the Montgomery Campus, where he continued to serve as an advisor for the Gamma Beta Phi and Alpha Sigma Lambda honor societies, an adjunct leadership instructor, and a variety of other duties.

Smith joined the TROY staff after retiring from the U.S. Air Force with more than 28 years of service. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds a master’s degree in human resources development from Webster University.

Smith is a Chancellor’s Fellow and has traveled to Africa on behalf of the university. In December, Smith received the Vergil Parks McKinley Award, the highest honor Troy University gives to a non-faculty staff member. He has also served on the National Executive Committee of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society since 2021.

“I am honored that the university leadership has asked me to serve in this capacity and I am excited about the opportunity,” Smith said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the great people we have at the university and particularly here on the Montgomery Campus as we serve our students and our community.”