Born in Laredo, Texas and the son of a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Rod inherited his father’s passion for thrills at an early age which influenced his future as a pilot and oilman. As a young adult he spent time riding motorcycles and modifying car engines to make the cars go faster. Soon he was in the air taking flight instruction and began blazing a trail in the oil industry.
In 1978, Rod went to work in the oil fields, starting as a gauger. He bought his first well in 1982, and the international oil and gas empire that is now Lewis Energy Group was born. Today Lewis Energy has over 1,300 employees with operations in Texas, Mexico, and Colombia. But his love of flying also grew over the years.
In 1981, he purchased his first plane, an old hand-cranked Aeronca Chief and over time came to own over 80 aircraft.
Thirty of the aircraft are classic WWII warbirds that fly as the Lewis Air Legends and the Air Legends Foundation. Both organizations were founded to preserve and maintain the historic machines while honoring the brave men who flew them. As an accomplished fixed and rotary wing pilot, Rod is qualified in both jet and propeller-driven aircraft with over 12,000 flight hours. He personally flies every plane, but the vintage fighters and bombers are his favorites, namely Glacier Girl, a P-38 Lightning rescued after 50 years beneath 268 feet of Greenland ice. It is the only survivor of the Lost Squadron and restored to near-factory condition.
A generous philanthropist, Lewis supports causes such as cancer research, scholarships for student pilots and those studying aviation technology or mechanics. His passion for flight, patriotism and love of American history has enabled future generations to experience the living, flying tribute to those who dreamed, built, supported and flew the brilliant birds of war. Rod Lewis is a member of the Living Legends of Aviation for his commitment to preserving vintage aircraft and serves as a Board Emeritus for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.