Ron brings to this newly created role a tremendous breadth of experience in academic leadership, institutional effectiveness, planning and budgeting, new program development, and resource development. Prior to Riverland, Ron worked as Vice President of Instruction - Chief Workforce Development Officer at Walla Walla Community College. The Workforce Education Division included the Evening College, Clarkston Center and academic units in Professional-Technical Education, Transitional Studies, Nursing Education and Allied Health, Continuing Education and Distance Learning. He also had responsibility for campuses providing inmate education at sites affiliated with the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Born to John and Cheryl Langrell (the oldest of three children) on July 17, 1957, Ron spent many of his first 14 years growing up on a Christmas tree farm and orchard in Oregon's Willamette Valley. He then attended high school in Roseburg, where his father worked as a forester. In the summer seasons Ron worked in the woods of Douglas County and helped with the family commercial fishing business. Graduating from Roseburg High School in 1975, he was awarded academic and athletic scholarships, including a four-year grant-in-aid to University of Idaho, where he served as team captain and three-time most inspirational player on the basketball team. He received his bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1979, then went on to earn both master's and post-master's degrees at University of Idaho in the 1980's.

Prior to earning a Ph.D. at Florida State University in 1990, Ron worked in student development at College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho. At age 26, he was the youngest community college Chief Student Affairs Officer in the United States. Later at FSU, he worked with the Vice President of Student Affairs and as a research associate with the Institute for Studies in Higher Education. More recently, Ron has completed Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management (2000) and the Washington Executive Leadership Academy (2004).

Ron and his spouse, Vicki Lynne Jackson-Langrell, were married on December 17, 1989. They are the parents of John Ronald (the IV), born on June 7, 1997; Georgia Marie, born March 21, 2000; and Jacquelyn Cheryl, born December 28, 2004. Professionally, Vicki has worked on the White House communications staff at Camp David, as a Captain in the U.S. Army, as a Fortune 100 contract administrator, and as a tenured community college faculty member. Johnnie and Georgia attend grade school in Austin, Minnesota, where the Langrells make their home.