General Lester L. Lyles, USAF (Ret.)

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. He is a senior executive with over 26 years experience running large, high-technology organizations involved in aeronautical and astronautical research, development, acquisition and logistics.

Gen. Lyles is a director of General Dynamics Corp., KBR Corp., Battelle and Precision Castparts Corp. He is a member of the NASA Advisory Council, the Defense Science Board and was elected to the National Academy of Engineers in 2011. Lyles also serves as a member of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board in the White House.

His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal and Legion of Merit. Lyles received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Howard University. He received a master’s degree in mechanical/nuclear engineering, as well as honorary doctors of laws, from New Mexico State University and Urbana University.

He currently serves as Chairman of the USAA Board of Directors.