Dr. Rick Lytle
President and CEO, CEO Forum Lytle holds a B.B.A. from Harding University, an M.B.A. from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. in Marketing from Arizona State University. He has been a participant in Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education, the Babson College Fellows Program for Entrepreneurship Educators, and the University of Michigan’s Cycle of Leadership Executive Education Institute. For more than a decade, Lytle has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in marketing, strategy, and leadership. Additionally, he has studied abroad numerous times in Asia, Europe, and Central America.
About this speaker
Dr. Lytle serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of CEO Forum, Inc. Additionally, he serves as a faculty member and Director Emeritus, Lytle Center for Faith and Leadership in the College of Business Administration at Abilene Christian University where he served as dean of the College from 1999-2016.
Research: Dr. Lytle has authored a number of articles and book chapters in his field, including works published in the Journal of Retailing, Journal of Services Marketing, Journal of Healthcare Marketing, International Journal of Hospitality Management, Journal of European Marketing, and the Eastern European Management Journal. His dissertation research is currently among the most cited in its field. Additionally, his work is published and has served as the basis for service training and development in the Audi of America Academy. His book entitled, “Abandon the Ordinary: Building a Distinctive Leadership Brand in Business, Family, and Church” was released by ACU/Leafwood Press October 2010 and is in its second printing. Currently, he is working on research related to next generation leadership issues. He also continues to conduct research on organizational culture and service quality as well as faith and leadership development.
Recognition: Dr. Lytle has received the College of Business Administration Outstanding Teacher of the Year award multiple times and has been the recipient of the ACU Board of Trustees Outstanding University Professor award. He has developed and/or led innovative and intensive faith-based programs including Senior Blessing, Leadership Summit, the Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series, the Emerging Leaders Conference series, and ENTRUST. Dr. Lytle received a national Templeton Foundation award for his work in these programs.
Professional Consulting Pursuits & Board Service: Before joining ACU, Rick worked professionally for General Motors and Volkswagen of America, Inc., in Detroit, Michigan and Tenneco and Amoco Oil Production Companies in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, He has consulted widely, conducting research around his work in organizational strategy, service culture, and customer satisfaction. Major clients include Audi of America, Bank of America, Caterpillar, Encompass Home Health, First Financial Bancshares, H.E.B., Lauren Engineers & Constructors, St. Vincent’s Hospital System (Indiana), Sparrow Hospital (Michigan), and Unity Health Center (Oklahoma). Rick serves on the board of Focus on the Family and is Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. He also serves on the boards of CEO Forum, Inc. and Hallal Ministries.
Personal: Of most importance in Dr. Lytle’s life are faith and family. Before his recent move to Dallas, he served as an Elder and Bible class teacher at the Southern Hills Church of Christ. He and his wife, Jeanne, often write and teach together. They have three beautiful daughters, Kelly, Hannah, and Michelle. Together, they enjoy teaching about family matters and leadership. They enjoy a variety of activities including hiking, running, global travel, boating, and skiing.