Chris Nikkel
Assistant Chief of Staff, Budget/Finance, G-8
Originally from Oklahoma, Chris graduated from the University of Oklahoma with his BBA in 1998. After his undergraduate degree, Chris went to work for Ford Motor Credit for 2 years working in Customer Service and Lease Termination roles. After going back to school full-time, Chris received his MBA in 2002 from OU during which he was awarded a summer study at the Stern School of Business at NYU. Chris went to work for Southwestern Bell Communications in their Finance Leadership Program (FLP) in June of 2002. After his first year in Chicago working in a regional finance role, Chris was offered a role in the Business Planning and Analysis Group responsible for many initiatives, special projects as well as setting annual business targets for the umbrella of business units within SBC.
In particular, 2005 was a busy year as SBC purchased AT&T and took that name moving forward. With this transaction, Chris was a part of the merger team in putting the two companies together from a financial perspective. In this role, Chris was able to see and contribute to the major muscle movements involved in the public sector when it comes to mergers and acquisitions.
Chris’ career took a great turn into the non-profit world in 2006 when he was able to take an opportunity to live in Albania for 1 year to share his religious faith with college students in that country. He has a passion for people, cultures, languages, and travel in general. Over the next 15 years, Chris was given great opportunities to work for a few churches and serve on several non-profit boards specializing in financial planning and guidance. During this time he also earned a Master of Arts in Theology and Mission from Northern Seminary.
Joining Front Line in January of 2023 as CFO, Chris provides leadership in all things under the Finance and Accounting umbrella as well as strategic input for growth and expansion initiatives.
Chris and his wife Lauren reside in Granbury, TX with their two children Silas and Everett.