General Lester Lyles was the featured speaker at the MSBR luncheon on Wednesday, 7/16/25. General Lyles shared a powerful and personal story, from his formative years in Washington, DC, where he chose to attend McKinley Technology High School, to his distinguished career supporting both civilian and military space programs. He reminded us that, just like Robert Goddard’s “cherry tree” moment, each of us has a defining point that shapes our path and purpose.

With humility and humor General Lyles reflected on what it means to have witnessed and influenced the arc of human space exploration, from our first satellites to ambitions of permanent habitats on the Moon and Mars. He emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships, spotlighting the achievements of today’s commercial space leaders and the innovation they bring to the broader ecosystem.

As Chair of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (NASM) board, General Lyles closed his presentation with an exciting update on NASM’s future and a call to action for our industry to support its mission through sponsorships and endowments.