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LEADERSHIP

Executive Office

Higher education demands leadership and associated communication processes to be nimble, transparent, and effective. Maranatha’s executive leaders champion its commitment to fidelity, innovation, and continuous quality improvement.

The President and Chief Executive Officer ensure that every institutional action reflects a commitment to the mission and core values through established expectations and systems for accountability at every level. Maranatha’s stakeholders, board members, administration, faculty and staff, and student body represent a community of faith that is deeply committed to its shared biblical values.

The Executive Office oversees the implementation of Maranatha’s strategic planning process which advances the mission while maintaining a focus on student learning.

DR. MATTHEW DAVIS

Chief Executive Officer

After serving since 2007 in various capacities at MBU—most recently as Executive Vice President and Corporate Counsel—Dr. Matt Davis transitioned at the start of 2021 to serve as Maranatha’s Chief Executive Officer. Coming alongside President Marriott, Dr. Davis will take responsibility for much of the day-to-day workings of the school, including academics, accreditation, and administrative decision making.

“Maranatha is ministry,” Dr. Davis says. “In the days ahead, we will continue to focus our efforts on achieving the mission we hold so dear. We must be driven by mission, compelled by values, and guided by truth.”

Read more about our CEO here.

DR. MARTY MARRIOTT

President, BA, BS, MA, MDiv, DD

Since 2009, Dr. Marty Marriott has served in a combined position as MBU’s President and Chief Executive Officer. His history as a Maranatha alumnus and pastor have enabled him to minister effectively, leading faculty, staff, students, and alumni in accomplishing the mission of MBU. In 2021, Dr. Marriott passed a portion of his leadership role to Dr. Matt Davis, focusing his attention on spiritual leadership, promotion of the university, and oversight of the chapel ministry.

“At MBU, our students are our primary product—not educational experiences, grades, or even class content,” Dr. Marriott explains. “I am thrilled to be a part of developing leaders for ministry in the local church and the world ‘To the Praise of His Glory.’”

Read more about our President here.

Central to the mission of Maranatha Baptist University is the task of making disciples. Our students are our primary product—not educational experiences, grades, or even class content. Through discipleship, we’re preparing students for leadership in the local church and the world. Nothing thrills us more than developing discipleship relationships with our students at Maranatha Baptist University.

—Dr. Marty Mariott

Board of Trustees

Maranatha’s independent board of trustees functions as a guardian of the mission, purpose, and values of the institution. The board is comprised of pastors, business leaders, physicians, attorneys, and both alumni and non-alumni of Maranatha, and represents the values and composition of the constituency. As such, the board serves as a sentinel guarding MBU’s governing principles and as a bellwether providing input and direction in meeting the broader needs of the constituency.

The Executive Committee of the board is a sub-committee of members elected by the full board. Between formal meetings of the board, the Executive Committee acts on behalf of the full board in emergencies and specified contingencies while routinely assisting the president with environmental scanning and external perspective.

  • Matthew Davis Chief Executive Officer, Watertown, WI
  • Marty Marriott President, Watertown, WI
  • Kevin Ames Retired Businessman, Pacifica, CA
  • David Anderson | Pastor, Roscoe, IL
  • David Baldwin Businessman, Owosso, MI
  • Darrell Beernink Retired Businessman, Normal, IL
  • Stephen Burton Businessman, Chesapeake, VA
  • Andy Counterman Pastor, Millersville, MD
  • Michael Dean Attorney, Brookfield, WI
  • Randell Gillespie | Businessman, Georgetown, TX
  • Doug Jackson Pastor, Saginaw, MI
  • William Lincoln Retired Pastor, Watertown, WI
  • Bob Loggans Pastor, Watertown, WI
  • Randy Melchert Jr. | Educator & Attorney, Menomonee Falls, WI
  • Zachary Mortimer Businessman, Shelocta, PA
  • David Oliver | Pastor, Belding, MI
  • Mark Poorman Pastor, Fridley, MN
  • Chad Prigge Pastor, Watertown, WI
  • Tim Schmig | Educator, Owosso, MI
  • Michael Stoltenberg Physician, Livonia, MI

Board of Resource

  • Todd Abbey | Pastor, Fairfax Station, VA
  • Jeremiah Cochran | Pastor, Toney, AL
  • William Cover | Pastor, Houston, TX
  • Dave Schlagel | Pastor, Downers Grove, IL
  • Jesse Sherburn | Research Engineer, Vicksburg, MS
  • Aaron Wilson | Camp Director, Prudenville, MI

Leadership Teams

Maranatha often uses teams, task forces, or focus groups as sources of information, advice, or recommendations. Collaboration with stakeholders at all levels – from students and alumni to community and ministry partners – ensures the university continues to accomplish its mission of “developing leaders for ministry in the local church and the world, to the Praise of His Glory.”

Four primary teams lead Maranatha administratively. The Executive Council (EC), the Financial Committee (FINCOM), the Strategy Council (SC), and the Leadership Council (LC). The unified structure of these teams provides consistency, reliable and intentional inter-departmental communication, and broad access to decision-makers.

Executive Council

The Executive Council (EC), the institution’s highest internal policy-making and appellate body, is made up of the executive-level leadership of the institution. EC meets regularly to address human resource issues and policy implementation. EC represents an important safeguard on institutional policy while maintaining connection to the Strategic Plan. The CEO serves as the Chair of the Executive Council.

Executive Council
  • Matthew Davis, BS, JD | Chief Executive Officer
  • Marty Marriott, BA, BS, MA, MDiv, DD | President
  • Donald Donovan, BS, CPA | Chief Financial Officer, Vice President for Business Affairs
  • Andrew Goodwill, BA, MA, PhD | Dean of Students, Faculty for CBCM, & MBS
  • James Harrison, BA, MMin, DD | Vice President for Institutional Advancement
  • Mark Herbster, BA, MDiv | Dean of the College of Bible & Church Ministries, Maranatha Baptist Seminary  
  • William Licht, BA, MS, MA, EdD | Vice President for Academic Affairs

Strategy Council

The Strategy Council oversees the Strategic Planning process (implementation, project management, and revision), Accreditation efforts (HLC requirements and tasks, program accreditation, compliance efforts), and Institutional Assessment (institutional outcomes, academic program review, operational department review). The CEO serves as the Chair of the Strategy Council.

Strategy Council
  • Matthew Davis, BS, JD | Chief Executive Officer, Chair
  • Marty Marriott, BA, BS, MA, MDiv, DD | President
  • Jonathan Coleman, BA, MA, MEd | Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
  • James Harrison, BA, MMin, DD | Vice President for Institutional Advancement
  • William Licht, BA, MS, MA, EdD | Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice Chair
  • Dana Davis, BS, MS | Assistant Vice President, Online and Distance Learning
  • Jonathan Sheeley, BS, MA | Director of Communications
  • D. Lance Saxon Jr., BA | Registrar

Leadership Council

The Leadership Council (LC) represents a vital nexus for the cross-flow of communication between departments and academic units. LC is comprised of the directors of every major department and academic unit as well as the administration of the university. Department leaders communicate recent developments, share innovations, and promote upcoming events. LC reports provide a free-flow of information on strategic direction and key organizational planning processes.

Leadership Council
  • Matthew Davis, BS, JD | Chief Executive Officer
  • Marty Marriott, BA, BS, MA, MDiv, DD | President
  • Philip Alsup, BS, MS, EdD | Maranatha Baptist Academy Administrator
  • Steven Board, BS | Director of Development & Stewardship Services
  • Melissa Chapman, BA| Kiddie Kampus Director
  • Jonathan Coleman, BA, MA, MEd | Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness
  • Dana Davis, BS, MS | Assistant Vice President, Online and Distance Learning
  • Donald Donovan, BS, CPA | Chief Financial Officer, Vice President for Business Affairs
  • Jared Chesley, BS | Facilities Manager
  • Tracy Foster, BS, MBA, DBA | Dean, School of Business
  • David Handyside, BS, MEd, DH | Director, School of Education
  • Lane Hansel, BS, MS, MS, EdD | Chair, Department of Applied Science
  • D. lance Saxon | Registrar
  • James Harrison, BA, MMin, DD | Vice President for Institutional Advancement
  • Emily Haynes, BA, MA | Dean of Women
  • Mark Herbster, BA, MDiv | Dean of the College of Bible & Church Ministries, Maranatha Baptist Seminary
  • David Ledgerwood, BS, MA, MA, DMA | Chair, Department of Music
  • William Licht, BA, MS, MA, EdD | Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • Susan Rasmussen, BSN, MSN | Director, School of Nursing
  • Scott Riley, BS | IT Director, Network Administrator
  • Jonathan Sheeley, BS, MA | Director of Communications
  • Robert Thompson, BS | Athletic Director
  • Matthew Uplinger, BBA | Director of Financial Aid
  • Peter Wright, BS, MA | Director of Student Recruitment, Director of Alumni Services