Business Leader and Author Sean Kouplen to Deliver OBU Minter Lecture

November 11, 2025

Sean Kouplen, chairman and CEO of Regent Bank, Oklahoma’s past secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, best-selling author and active small business investor, will deliver the Minter Lecture at 10 a.m., November 14, in the Tulsa Royalties Auditorium of the Bailey Business Center on the OBU campus.

In 2008, Kouplen led an investor group that purchased 110-year old Regent Bank in Nowata. Since that time, the bank has expanded to seven markets throughout Oklahoma and Missouri and has grown from $72 million to over $2 billion in assets- making it one of America’s fastest-growing banks. Regent Bank has won many awards, including Inc Magazine’s Best Places to Work and the Central United States Community Bank of the Year.

In his governor-appointed role as Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, Kouplen oversaw 36 state agencies that lead the economic development, community development and workforce development efforts for the state of Oklahoma.    

Kouplen was the head coach of the 2022 Oklahoma Little League World Series team, which achieved global fame due to Isaiah Jarvis’ hug, which was felt around the world.  He also holds a black belt in taekwondo.

He holds numerous local and statewide leadership positions, including chairman of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, Oklahoma Business Roundtable, Oklahoma Bankers Association, Tulsa Community College Foundation, First Americans Museum and an elder and “Backup Preacher” at Southpoint Church in Bixby.  

Kouplen’s awards include Journal Record’s Most Admired CEO Award, his fraternity’s top national alumni award and Citizen of the Year in Bixby.  

He has written four popular books, hosts a nationwide podcast called 94X Kingdom Driven CEO and leads a daily call-in devotional that has reached thousands in all 50 states and four foreign countries.  

Kouplen recently launched a nationwide faith in work movement called 94X that is rapidly spreading throughout the country.  

He has been married to Angela for 27 years and they have three children- Emory (22), Kennedy (18) and Finley (15).

The Minter Lectureship in Business, named in honor of Dr. Lloyd Minter, is an annual event showcasing accomplished professionals who integrate Christian faith with their vocation. The lecture provides inspiration and real-world insight to OBU students and the broader community.