Ryan Tipton

As a third-generation Lea County resident born and raised in Lovington, Ryan literally “grew up” in the petroleum industry. He briefly left the area to pursue an education at the University of Texas – Permian Basin. After receiving a BBA in Marketing and an MBA in Management/Finance, he returned to Hobbs and started an oil company. With hard work, determination, and favorable commodity prices, the company grew into a regional energy conglomerate. His companies eventually held interests in multiple energy subsectors including; oil and gas production, drilling, pipelines, and transportation. He also owned and operated two restaurants in the region.

In 2007, he sold his energy business to a publicly-traded firm and agreed to serve as VP and board member. While pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at Walden University he founded a private consulting firm. In 2009, a chance conversation (that occurred while he was working on a consulting project) led Ryan to teach in the business program at USW, and shortly thereafter he became the dean of the department. Since that time, the College of Business Administration has grown almost 900% and houses the single largest undergraduate program, the second-largest graduate program, and the first doctoral program at the university. After nine years of service in the College of Business Administration, Ryan became the university Provost in 2019.