John Smith served in a variety of roles since first arriving on the Marshall campus in 1989. A native West Virginian, Smith completed a distinguished military career following his graduation from West Virginia University.

From 1989-94 he served as a professor and chairman in the College of Business and a program director for Marshall University. From 1994-96 he served as a special assistant and library campaign coordinator for the new John Deaver Drinko Library.

From 1996 to the present he served as the interim Associate Vice President for Athletic Development and as Executive Director, Big Green; interim Director of Athletic Development; Special Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Planning and Development; Director, Special Events; and, Director, Courtesy Car Program. He is currently the Director of External Affairs for the Big Green.

Smith earned a bachelor's degree from WVU, a master's degree from the University of Maine, and did postgraduate work in higher education at MU. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and attended the U.S. Army War College. He is a John Marshall Society member.

His son, Sean, a 1995 Marshall graduate and his daughter-in-law, Jennifer, a 1996 Marshall graduate, reside in Phoenix, Ariz.