Howard L. Lewis founded Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America in 1989. He served as its president and CEO until April 2014, when he was named Chairman Emeritus until his retirement at the end of 2019. He began his professional career in financial services with Central Trust Company in
Cincinnati, followed by leadership roles at Picker International Corporation, Progressive Insurance Company and Capitol American Life Insurance Company. In June 2020, he became chairperson of the Tri-C Foundation Board Development Committee.

Lewis’ personal values of training and purpose for employees were integral to his company’s culture. “A job must give people something to work toward; otherwise, the job just grinds on,” he explained. Successful businesses give back. They invest in people, especially those most in need. When you lift your employees’ sights on a cause, it connects the business to the bigger community, and inspires real satisfaction.”

Lewis understands the difficulties faced by working students who pay bills, meet family responsibilities, and plan for their futures. He went to work at an early age to support his
widowed mother. “I was raised in poverty, on Social Security and food stamps. When I graduated
from high school, I just wanted to make money and drive a truck, because I knew it paid well,” he
explained. “A counselor suggested that I go to community college so that I could go to classes in
the evenings while I worked, and go from there. I got through, and earned my associate’s degree
while working. I know how difficult it is to do that.”

Lewis completed his BA in business administration at the University of Kentucky (UK) and an MBA from Xavier University. UK has conferred honors and awards to Lewis, most recently an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in April 2019. He has been an active leader in transformative capital campaigns for both universities and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Those early life experiences and opportunities continue to guide Mr. Lewis’ community service.
He is passionate about Tri-C, Cleveland Food Bank, education, and charities that assist youth. As
he considers his retirement opportunities, his focus remains certain: “I want to raise money and
work to help at risk children,” he pledged, describing a deep emotional commitment to Tri-C,
and his immense respect for its leadership, especially Dr. Alex Johnson.
“When you see what Tri-C is doing, how can you not be ‘all-in’?’” Mr. Lewis asked. “Tri-C lights
me up like few causes do.”