Major in Data Analytics

Dr. Ryan Ladner moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2015 to teach at JBU and lead the undergraduate department in the College of Business. In 2017, he transitioned from the department head for undergraduate studies to the department head for the Graduate Business Programs.  He has a B.S.B.A., in Personal Financial Planning from The University of Southern Mississippi, an M.B.A., from Mississippi College, an M.A., in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and a D.B.A., in Marketing from George Fox University.

Before his role at JBU, Dr. Ladner was a District Sales Leader in the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo North America. After leaving PepsiCo, he served in various roles in higher education including Director of Enrollment and Assistant Professor of Business at Bryan College and Assistant Professor of Marketing at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Dr. Ladner teaches courses in strategy and marketing at the undergraduate and graduate levels and he conducts research as well as presents in the areas of active learning, college choice theory, team-based learning, and digital marketing. He also earned the online marketing certified associate designation and serves as the Director of Marketing for the Christian Business Faculty Association.

Dr. Ladner enjoys working out, playing sports and competing in intramurals. He is married and has two children – one boy and one girl. He and his family reside in Siloam Springs.

Dr. Joe Walenciak holds a Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Arkansas and has been a member of the business faculty at John Brown University since 1982.  During that time, he has taught business classes in the undergraduate, online and graduate programs.  He has also chaired the undergraduate, graduate and online business programs and is currently serving as the Dean of the College of Business.

While at JBU, Dr. Walenciak has developed and led mission trips and studies programs in Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Jordan, China, Brazil, and several other countries.  He has received recognitions as SIFE USA Sam Walton Fellow of the Year, SIFE USA Hall of Fame, CBFA Richard C. Chewing Award, Teacher of the Year, and Outstanding Alumnus.  He has also been named Ambassador of the Peace of Guatemala by the Guatemalan Government on two separate occasions.

With interests in community development and business accreditation, Dr. Walenciak has held national leadership roles with the Christian Business Faculty Association and with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Dr. Linda Vytlacil, former Vice President for Data Science/Global Data & Analytics Platforms for Walmart Labs, is a recognized people leader and commercial manager with extensive experience in building teams and creating analytics capabilities to harness profitably the power of big data analytics.  With business development experience and P&L responsibilities in global consulting services, Dr. Vytlacil is a successful and award-winning team leader who is skilled at identifying and developing talent.  She brings numerous skills to the classroom including technical credentials in advanced analytics across customer domains such as strategy, loyalty, digital marketing, pricing strategy, retail, product innovation, market research, econometrics, demand forecasting and performance measurement.