Biography

Paula Smith, a 25-year resident of Hobbs, is a licensed CPA and local business owner who recently completed a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration at Texas Tech University. Paula also currently is enrolled as a doctoral student in USW’s DBA program. She began her professional career as an auditor for KMPG LLP in Fort Worth, Texas after receiving her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Tarleton State University . After moving to Hobbs, she became the Vice-President and CFO of Watson Truck & Supply, Inc. and later started her own business which included a financial consulting services company and a retail shopping center. Paula previously served USW on the Board of Trustees for over a decade.

Paula, like many of the students who will complete their degrees at USW, is a first generation college graduate. She also shares the distinction with them of having a heart for service and a commitment to servant leadership. She is a co-founder of MyPower, Inc. which has grown to become the largest youth development program in Lea County. She has previously served on several community health committees including the Nor-Lea Community Health Assessment Team and Covenant Hobbs Advisory Council.  Most recently Paula served as a member of the Governor’s Task Force for COVID Safe Practices – Retail.

Paula is the spouse of Finn Smith, a prominent leader in the Hobbs business community who also serves on the Hobbs City Commission and the USW Foundation Board of Directors. Paula and Finn are the proud parents of two grown children who were raised and educated in the Hobbs School District, a son who recently graduated from TCU with a degree in accounting and finance and a daughter who attends Texas A&M, majoring in environmental engineering. Although our students might not realize it, the concession stand in the Maddox Student Life Center is named after one of Paula’s greatest inspirations, her grandmother.