was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, in 1938, and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1956, earned his Bachelor of Science degrees in political science and history from the University of Kansas, and received his law degree from Washburn University in 1963. After college he worked as an attorney first for the U.S. Justice Department and later for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

From 1966 to 1969, Lewis served in the U.S. Peace Corps as associate director in Nigeria, and later as country director in Uganda. Upon his return to the United States, he was named director of the Peace Corps' East and Southern Africa Division. He subsequently served as legislative assistant to Senator Edward Brooke (R-Mass) and administrative assistant to non-voting Representative Walter Fauntroy (D-DC).

In 1973, Lewis took a position as public affairs manager at C&P Telephone in Washington, D.C. Rising through the ranks of the company, he became its president in 1990. In 1994 he became CEO of National Public Radio. He retired from NPR in 1998.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed him U.S. Ambassador to South Africa.

"NPR President and CEO Del Lewis Resigns." National Public Radio. 1998. www.npr.org/about/press/980403.del.html

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This page was last updated on 08/10/2011.