Following a nationwide search, officials at West Texas A&M University have named Sherri A. Bays the University's new vice president for business and finance, pending approval by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

Pending the board's approval, Bays will begin her new role at WTAMU on Sept. 1. She is filling a position vacated in January by Gary Barnes, who moved to College Station as Texas A&M University's new associate vice president for finance and controller. In the interim, the position has been filled by Mark Hiner, assistant vice president for business and finance, and Rick Johnson, controller. Bays was one of four finalists interviewed for the WTAMU position.

As the new vice president for business and finance, Bays will oversee the University's budgeting, physical facilities and contract management along with supervising the Accounting and Business Office, the Buff Gold Card Office, University Bookstore, Post Office, University Police Department, Environmental Safety, Human Resources and Purchasing and Inventory Services.

"I am very honored to be joining the West Texas A&M University team," Bays said. "I am excited about the opportunity to work with President O'Brien and the entire campus community, a team so dedicated to the students they serve."

Bays comes to WTAMU from Western New Mexico University (WNMU) in Silver City N.M., where she has served as vice president of business affairs since 2007. She first joined WNMU in 1995 as an internal auditor/budget analyst and left in 1995 to join Phelps Dodge Tyrone, Inc. as an accountant. She worked at Phelps Dodge Tyrone, Inc. for two years before returning to WNMU in 1997 as the director of fiscal services. In 2000, she was named associate vice president of business affairs and seven years later, Bays took over as vice president of business affairs in an acting capacity and was named to the position in 2010.

"We are excited to welcome Sherri Bays as our vice president for business and finance," Dr. J. Patrick O'Brien, University president, said. "With her years of experience at Western New Mexico, Sherri has honed extensive skills, and that combined with her knowledge and leadership, will serve WT well for many years to come."

Bays earned her Bachelor of Accountancy from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and has been a certified public accountant since 1999. She has held positions with IBM, KPMG Peat Marwick and Citizens Bank. While at WNMU, Bays was an active member of the University President's Cabinet and Executive team, chaired the University Planning Council Budget Committee and co-chaired the University Planning Council.