Charlie Apigian, Ph.D., is a Shareholder and Leader of LBMC’s AI Practice. In this role, he leads LBMC’s transformation from an applications-focused Data & AI team into a full-spectrum AI practice spanning AI readiness assessment, data strategy, AI education, foundational data architecture, custom reporting, and intelligent AI applications.
Raised in a family business, Charlie learned early what it means to make high-stakes decisions with imperfect data, limited resources, and no margin for theoretical thinking. That foundation continues to shape his practical, outcomes-driven approach to helping organizations navigate complexity and apply AI in meaningful, measurable ways.
With a multidisciplinary career spanning academia, industry, and consulting, Charlie brings a distinctive perspective to applied data and artificial intelligence. His experience includes 25 years in higher education as a professor and institute leader, 10 years in the automotive industry, and consulting work focused on helping organizations operationalize data for strategic advantage. He has founded and led multiple data science initiatives, including two academic institutes dedicated to advancing analytics and AI capabilities.
Charlie’s industry expertise spans healthcare, government and public sector, utilities, financial services, insurance, and legal. His work is centered on helping organizations translate complex data into actionable insight while building sustainable, scalable AI capabilities.
Prior to joining LBMC in 2024, Charlie served as Professor of Business Systems & Analytics at Belmont University, where he also led the Belmont Data Collaborative. Before that, he spent nearly two decades at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where he held leadership roles including Director of the Data Science Institute, Department Chair of Information Systems & Analytics, and Professor.
A recognized leader in the data and AI community, Charlie is a frequent keynote speaker at major industry events, including Nashville AI Week, Louisville AI Week, and Data Science Nashville. He is also a TEDx speaker, delivering his 2025 talk, “You Are the Catalyst for a Positive AI Future.” In 2026, he published AI Reimagined: A Leader’s Guide to Thinking Different with Data, further establishing his voice in the evolving AI landscape.
Charlie’s contributions have been widely recognized, including being named Data Scientist of the Year and IT Community Leader of the Year by the Nashville Technology Council. He is also the founder of Data Inspire, a Nashville-based AI and data strategy consultancy.
Education:
Ph.D., Manufacturing Management and Information Systems, University of Toledo
MBA, Information Systems, Wayne State University
B.S., Management Information Systems, Bowling Green State University
Certifications:
DCAM V2.2 (Data Management Capability Assessment Model) Certification