Background
Lyles, Lester L. was born on April 20, 1946.
Lyles, Lester L. was born on April 20, 1946.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Howard University, 1968. Master of Science in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, New Mexico State University, 1969. Graduate, Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, 1980.
Graduate, Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia, 1981. Graduate, National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, District of Columbia, 1985. Graduate, National & International Security Mgmt.Course, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1991.
Commissioned 2d. lieutenant United States Air Force, 1968, advanced through grades to general, 1999, retired, 2003. Propulsion & structures engineer Standard Space Launch Vehicles Program, Los Angeles Air Force Station, California, 1969—1971. Propulsion engineer Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 1971—1974.
Program element monitor for the short-range attack missile United States Air Force, Washington, 1974—1975, executive officer to deputy chief of staff for research & development, 1975—1978. Special assistant & aide-de-camp to Commander Headquarters Air Force Specialty Code, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 1978—1980. Chief avionics division F-16 Systems Program Office Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 1981, deputy director for special & advanced projects, F-16 Systems Program Office, 1981—1984.
Director tactical aircraft systems Headquarters Air Force Specialty Code, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 1985—1987. Director medium-launch vehicles program office space systems division United States Air Force, Los Angeles, 1987—1988, assistant deputy Commander for launch systems Space Systems Division, 1988—1989, assistant deputy chief of staff for requirements Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 1989—1992. Vice Commander Ogden Accredited Land Consultants, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, 1992—1994.
Commander Space & Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles, 1994—1996. Director ballistic missile defense organic United States Air Force, 1996—1999, vice chief of staff Washington, 1999—2000. Commander Air Force Material Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 2000—2003.
National director Air Force Association. Board directors General dynamics corporation, since 2003, Management and Training Corporation Technologies, Inc., United Services Automobile Association, KBR, Inc., since 2007. Member advisory council National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Board trustees Wright State University. Board directors Battelle Memorial Institute.
Married Mina M. Lyles. Children: Rene, Phillip, Leslie, Lauren.