Lewis II, Richard B.

LAI Executive Director

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Richard Lewis was appointed executive director in June 2008. Mr. Lewis is an honors graduate in aeronautical engineering from Princeton University and holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His business education includes courses at the Federal Executive Institute, Harvard University, London Business School, and the Darden School.

Mr. Lewis’s early career was spent at Sikorsky Aircraft and Lockheed-California Company. From 1969 to 1985 he served in a number of civilian technical leadership positions for the U.S. Army and ultimately managed 34 Army laboratories, including personnel, facilities, and scientific and technical research and development policy. He joined ITT Corporation in 1985 as its technical director, became president of the electro-optical products division, and ultimately served as group executive and corporate vice president. Lewis led customer-oriented manufacturing excellence and operation performance improvement programs with ITT units in the U.S. and Europe.

Mr. Lewis was president of Rolls-Royce Defense North America from 1998-2000, and from 2001-2004 was chief operating officer for Rolls-Royce Corporation. Under his leadership, the business delivered nearly 2,000 aircraft engines, improved customer satisfaction, won numerous awards, and delivered exceptional profit and cash to Rolls-Royce.