WASHINGTON, DC – The American Security Project (ASP) this week announced the addition of retired Air Force General Lester L. Lyles to its bipartisan board of Directors.

General Lyles retired from the United State Air Force after a distinguished 35 year career, most recently as Commander, Air Force Material Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Prior to that he served as Air Force Vice Chief of Staff and Chief Technology Officer, and Director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization at the Department of Defense.

“General Lyles brings an extraordinary record of service and leadership to the American Security Project,” said Senator Gary Hart, ASP’s President and Chairman. “He understands the challenges facing the United States in the twenty-first century, and the need for a new strategic approach and international partnerships to keep America safe. We are delighted that he has joined our effort.”

A senior executive with over 26 years experience running large, high-technology organizations involved in aeronautical and astronautical research, development, acquisition and logistics, General Lyles also serves on the Board of Directors of several defense technology and logistics solutions companies, including General Dynamics Corporation and MTC Technologies, Inc. Among his many service honors was a 2004 appointment to the President’s Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy.

“I am thrilled by the prospect of working with such dedicated national security leaders to shape the debate on a new American security strategy,” said General Lyles. “Like many others, I have grown ever more concerned and believe that we need a new, more flexible process for today’s environment. The American Security Project provides me an opportunity to help define that process.”

The American Security Project (ASP) is a non-profit, bi-partisan public policy research and education initiative dedicated to fostering knowledge and understanding of a range of national security and foreign policy issues. It is organized around the belief that honest public discussion of national security requires an informed citizenry—one that understands the dangers and opportunities of the twenty-first century and the spectrum of available responses. ASP was formed to help Americans—from opinion leaders to the general public—understand how national security issues relate directly to them, and to explain challenges and threats in a way that spurs constructive action.

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