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One on One RETIRED FOUR-STAR GENERAL SAYS HARD WORK TOOK HIM TO THE TOP
he never set out to spend a career in the Air Force, or become a four-star General. After graduating from Howard University, the District of Columbia native says his plan was to serve four years to work off his ROTC com- mitment before venturing into civilian life. General Lyles calls his rise to the very top of the U.S. military estab- lishment the result of a career of hard work and a determination to do every task as well as possible. Along the way, he said, mentors and opportuni- ties appeared to help him along.
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After receiving a degree in mechanical engineering from Howard University in 1968, Lyles went on to earn a Master’s of Science in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineer- ing from the Air Force Institute of Technology Program at New Mexico State University in 1969. Throughout his
postgraduate education he continued in the Air Force, serving in a string
of assignments in what became a decorated, 35-year military career. Some of his leadership posts include a stint as Vice Commander and later Commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center in Utah. He later commanded the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, before being named director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.
www.blackengineer.com
etired Air Force Gen. Lester L. Lyles says
by Michael A. Fletcher
mfletcher@ccgmag.com
General Lester L. Lyles Retired Four-Star Air Force General
In 1999, Lyles was named Vice Chief of Staff for the Air Force, and later he was named commander of the Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he served until retiring in 2003. Since leaving the Air Force, Lyles has worked as a consultant and served on the boards of several corporations including KBR, General Dynamics, USAA, and Battelle
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