User:Rwheeler01/Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith (President of The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College)
Ryan Smith (born February 23rd, 1973) a lifelong resident of Gallia County and graduate of Gallia Academy High School. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a B. S. degree in Finance. The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College appointed Ryan Smith as president. President Smith assumed his role on October 14, 2019.

Life and Career
Growing up a resident of Gallia County, Smith graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelors in Finance. He used his degree to launch a career as a financial consultant at Smith Financial Advisors of Hilliard Lyons. In 2007 Smith ran for and won a seat on Gallipolis City Board of Education, he would be reelected in 2011. He is married to his wife, Vikki, having four together.

Political Career
In 2012 Smith faced off against two other candidates ultimately winning with 64% of the votes for the position of representative in the Ohio House of Representatives. In 2014 Smith handedly won reelection serving as Chairman of the House Finance Committee and was tasked with carrying the state biennium budget.

In 2018 Smith announced that he would run for Speaker, a position that he would hold until 2019 when he changed his sights to Rio Grande.

President of Rio Grande
On October 14th, 2019 Ryan Smith assumed the role of President of The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College. He would bring his vast financial knowledge to the school as stabilizing the budget was of up most importance to him. He would also put focus on improving attendance and improving infrastructure. Since becoming President the school has seen record attendance and a blossoming campus as renovations are made and athletics teams continue to be added.