Forty Under 40: Christopher Ladd

Christopher Ladd earned an economics degree from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Texas. A career in finance was a goal while pursuing those degrees, particularly in investing.

That’s been a good match. In Ladd’s career, he has closed more than $4 billion in investments for multiple private equity firms and corporations.

NewRoad hired Ladd two years ago. It’s the state’s largest private equity fund, and his role there is all-encompassing. Ladd is responsible for all aspects of the investment process and post-investment operations of NewRoad’s portfolio companies.

Ladd moved from Texas to Northwest Arkansas in 2013, in part to join Walmart’s corporate strategy team and to be closer to his wife’s friends and family. He said he enjoys advising passionate entrepreneurs and early-stage companies. He serves on the boards of TAXA Outdoors and Big Elk Energy Systems and is a board observer on Shiftboard and Engage3.

Before NewRoad, Ladd worked at Walmart for four years. He was part of the company’s corporate development and strategy teams. He was part of the team that led due diligence in the run-up to the $3.3 billion Jet.com acquisition in 2016 and was also on the team that developed a strategy for grocery pickup and delivery, one of Walmart’s fastest-growing divisions.

Additionally, Ladd was CFO of the Closed Loop Fund, which raised about $100 million and invested in recycling-related businesses and technologies.

NewRoad manages three funds. Ladd said the later-stage fund being raised now could double the firm’s existing assets under management of $170 million. Ladd’s long-term goal is to help NewRoad achieve its 20-year vision of creating a multibillion-dollar private equity platform in NWA.

Married with two children, Ladd serves on the fundraising and finance committees of First United Methodist Church in Bentonville.