Chris Sharp, who for the past 11 years has served as assistant city manager and finance director for the city of Canyon, has been named vice president of business affairs at Amarillo College.
Sharp will begin serving as chief financial officer of the College on Jan. 6, filling the vacancy created when Steve Smith resigned to pursue an executive opportunity in the private sector.
“Chris Sharp has a wealth of experience administering multi-million-dollar budgets; overseeing federal- and state-grant funded projects; and managing bond initiatives for the city of Canyon,” Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, AC president, said.
“I am thrilled that he has accepted a leadership role with the College.”
Prior to joining Canyon’s management team, Sharp worked for the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, where he served as local government services program coordinator from 2001-2008.
Sharp, a certified public manager, received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1989, then completed a master’s degree in education at West Texas A&M University. He began his professional career in counseling.
As vice president of business affairs at AC, Sharp is charged with leading all business and business-related functions of the College, with primary responsibility for budget and accounting, procurement, inventory, facilities management, auxiliary services, capital outlay, and retail bookstore operations.
The vice president also develops new sources of funding and determines possible alternative funding methods for accomplishing goals of the College; develops and maintains accounting and fiscal policies adopted by the Board of Regents; and serves as Treasurer of the AC Foundation.
“I am very excited to be a part of a great institution like Amarillo College,” Sharp said. “Through great vision and leadership, Amarillo College has become one of the best Colleges in the nation.
“I'm happy to be a part of it and look forward to using my knowledge and experience to help guide the Business Affairs.”
Sharp is married to Traci Sharp, and the couple has four children - Hutton 26, Rylee 24, Aden 20, and Maggie 16.
-Amarillo College