Kurt Lykins

Part-Time Faculty
Department of Business, Accounting, & Economics

Kurt is a recognized results-focused financial industry expert with deep knowledge and understanding of accounting, tax, technology, and data analytics. His 35+ years of experience with clients, boards, management, staff, regulators, auditors, educators, and students have taught him the skills necessary to create pragmatic, individualized solutions to solve complex strategic issues. He advocates for collaborative consensus building and a desire to use both education and risk management as competitive advantages. Kurt holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Ohio University, a Masters of Business Administration from Otterbein University, and is currently working on his Doctorate of Business Administration at the University of Maryland Global Campus. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) having held both FINRA 7 and 66 licenses, IRS Enrolled Agent (EA), and an Ohio licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He began his professional career working in the Columbus office of KPMG Peat Marwick. His experience with a “big eight” accounting firm was followed by 20 years in the credit union industry, including 17 years as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Corporate One Federal Credit Union. As CTO, he was responsible for the departments of Information Security, Systems Operations, Application Development, Project Management, and Vendor Management. After leaving Corporate One, he leveraged his entrepreneurial talents by successfully creating, developing, and selling an accounting firm focused on serving Gen X/Y small business owners through the better use of technology. He has taught business classes ranging from financial accounting to futures, options, and swaps at Otterbein University, Columbus State Community College, and Bishop Watterson High School. His real-world teaching focus has been recognized by his students who nominated him for a “Distinguished Teaching Award.” He currently serves as a Financial Planner for Envisage Wealth Management’s ultra-high net worth clients. Kurt is a passionate believer in giving back to the community. He has previously served as a board member and treasurer for My Very Own Blanket (a nonprofit organization focused on providing stability to foster children) and as an elected Board Member and Enterprise Risk Management Committee Chairperson of KEMBA Financial Credit Union. He currently serves on the board for WOSU Public Media. As a thought leader, he has spoken at national and international events on topics such as emerging technologies, enterprise risk management, innovation process modeling, and collaboration/communication techniques. When they aren’t playing with their seven grandchildren, Kurt and Amy enjoy traveling the world to gain a more diverse understanding of people, perspectives, cultures, and history.