Texas Tech University
Terry Lyons

Meet Terry Lyons

Terry Lyons earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas Tech University in 1980. Following graduation, he joined the Fort Worth office of Ernst & Whinney (now EY) as an auditor and became a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). During his tenure, he worked with clients across the insurance, banking, and hospitality industries, gaining valuable experience that would shape his future career. The relationships he built and the expertise he developed at Ernst & Whinney led him to UICI Student Insurance Division, where he ultimately served as Chief Underwriting Officer.

Kirsten Cook, Susan Lyons, Terry Lyons, and Dean Williams at the naming ceremony

In December 1998, Terry founded Academic HealthPlans (AHP). Drawing on his extensive background in accounting, underwriting, marketing, and sales, he transformed AHP into the nation's leading student health insurance provider. What began with one employee and one university client grew under Terry's leadership into a company of more than 150 employees serving over 400 universities and approximately 500,000 insured students nationwide.

In January 2020, Terry sold Academic HealthPlans to Risk Strategies, where he currently serves as National Education Practice Leader. Risk Strategies, a leading national specialty insurance brokerage and risk management firm, became part of Brown & Brown following its 2025 acquisition of parent company Accession Risk Management Group, further expanding its national reach and capabilities. In recognition of his professional achievements and commitment to his alma mater, Terry was named a TTU School of Accounting Distinguished Alumnus in 2022 and also received the Education Power Broker Award that same year.

Lyons Family Photo

For more than three decades, Terry and his family have been dedicated supporters of Texas Tech University and the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business, generously investing both their time and philanthropic support in initiatives that strengthen student success. In 2019, Terry and his wife, Susan, established the Terry and Susan Lyons Family Scholarship, which is awarded annually to accounting students. Terry has also served for many years on both the Rawls Advisory Council and the Accounting Advisory Council. Reflecting on his Texas Tech experience, Terry has shared: "Texas Tech and the School of Accounting provided the foundation for my career, giving me the education and building relationships that were crucial to my business and life success."

In December 2023, Terry and Susan made a transformational gift to the Texas Tech School of Accounting within Jerry S. Rawls College of Business. In recognition of their extraordinary generosity, the school was renamed the Terry Lyons School of Accounting. Their gift supports student scholarships, empowers faculty to conduct innovative research, strengthens industry partnerships, and provides resources to advance the school's strategic priorities.

The Lyons family's commitment to Texas Tech continues through their ongoing service and active participation in university events, including the annual Lyons School of Accounting Scholarship and Distinguished Alumni Banquet each fall. Terry and Susan reside in Colleyville, Texas, and are the proud parents of four children: Paige, Holden, Jameson, and Layton. Through their generosity and enduring commitment to student success, the Lyons family's legacy will continue to promote excellence in accounting education at Texas Tech University for generations to come.

Rawls College of Business

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