Our Team
Dr. James Slaydon
Dr. Slaydon has been a dedicated educator, teaching a wide range of courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, including Financial Management, Foundations of Finance, International Finance, and Special Topics in Finance. He has made significant contributions to the field of finance through his published research on topics such as financial management analysis during natural disasters, the impact of hurricanes on economic resilience, and the relationship between firm value and long-term debt. His work has been featured in reputable journals, and he has actively participated in conferences and secured research grants to further his investigations. Dr. Slaydon's commitment to academic excellence, combined with his expertise in finance and his dedication to student education, make him an asset to the academic community. He is a native of Texas where he works and conducts his research.
Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan
Dr. Sargsyan teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Finance, Economics, Security Analysis and Portfolio Management, Student Managed Investment Fund, Real Estate Investments, and other courses. Dr. Sargsyan’s research areas cover finance, risk management, real estate finance and investments, energy business risk management and finance, local economic development and dominant clusters of the region, finance regulation, tourism management and planning, strategic management, and financial stability of NPOs. Dr. Sargsyan has been instrumental in receiving grants and awards totaling $1,363,010. His new research interests include corporate finance, financial reporting and accounting standards, multidiscipline research with a finance/economics component, military finance, real estate regulation and property rights. Dr. Sargsyan currently serves as a member of multiple university and college committees. He is a member of the Undergraduate Research Advisory Board and Study Abroad Advisory Council. Dr. Sargsyan also coordinates COB’s international relations and project-based study abroad programs.
Dr. Henry Venta
Dr. Venta teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in management and marketing. Dr. Venta’s research areas cover strategic management and financial stability of NPOs, local economic development, risk management, finance regulation, energy business risk management, tourism management. Dr. Venta is involved as a PI or Co-PI in grants totaling $861,282. His new research interests include military finance. Dr. Venta currently serves as a member of multiple university and college committees. He has an instrumental role in College AACSB reaccreditation. He also is a member of the boards of local organizations and has connections with multiple institutions, local and regional governments of Southeast Texas. Dr. Venta served as a Dean of Lamar University College of Business.
Dr. Ricardo Colon
Dr. Ricardo Colon is an Associate Professor of Accounting in the School of Accounting & Information Systems. His research focuses on risk management practices in the oil and gas industry during Hurricane Harvey, the necessity of accounting for sustainability, and the responsibilities of auditors under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Furthermore, he has actively participated in funded research projects, particularly in the context of Southeast Texas' economic recovery following the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey. He currently serves as a member of various Departmental and College Committees. Also, he has occupied various positions on the Board of the Southeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs.
