David Garafola recently spent seven years with Parker University in Dallas, Texas, as vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer. Over the course of his time with the health sciences university, he managed virtually all aspects of strategy and operation, including information technology development, safety and risk management, marketing, and business services. Prior to the arrival of David Garafola, Parker College was a financially distressed institution, but now stands as a financially stable university known for its comprehensive health sciences offerings. Mr Garafola was also credited for his role in the development and transformation of Webster University into an international presence with over 110 locations across 23 States and 8 foreign campus locations in Europe and Asia.  Over the course of his career in education he has also held similar roles with the College of Notre Dame and Towson University, among others.

Mr. Garafola studied business as an undergraduate at Salisbury University in Maryland. Prior to achieving his bachelor of science, he spent four years as a starter on the school’s men’s basketball team. He continued his education at the University of Baltimore, spending time on the academic honor roll before graduating with his master of business administration in 1990.