Albert Lewis, a native of Morgantown, received his business degree in 1951 from West Virginia University. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Lewis used his G.I. benefits to obtain his Business Degree. He also received a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean conflict.
After military service, Lewis held several business management positions in the Morgantown and Pittsburgh areas. In 1956, he joined the Houze Glass Company to expand its research and development of commercial products and military applications of glass technology through contracts with the Navy’s Office of Naval Research, as well as, several military and government projects. Through his investigations of glass fiber and resin science he advanced the knowledge of the use of these materials for structural and fire protection applications.
Lewis went on to launch a business and science career in the development and manufacturing of high-strength and high-temperature glass fiber products. In 1970, after moving fiberglass technology to California based Aerojet General, he acquired their fiberglass assets and founded his current company, Glass Inc. International. He currently serves as the owner and CEO.
Glass Inc. International licenses glass fiber technology and provides research, engineering and consulting services to the glass industry. Lewis is responsible for 30 glass manufacturing plants that have been installed throughout the world. The company also operates a precision casting foundry, supplying in-house company requirements, as well as supplies the general market with a broad range of metal castings. The fiberglass plants have provided the residents of these countries access to insulation products to improve their living environment.
To date, Lewis holds 23 U.S. patents in glass technology and chemistry, 13 patents pending, for high-temperature insulation in the United States and Internationally. His most recent development is a high-temperature glass fiber material to protect the lives of airline passengers and crew in the event of an aircraft fire.
In addition to his career dedication, Lewis has made a life-long commitment to finding a cure for his daughter’s rare neurological disease in hopes to alleviate suffering for not only her but, others who are afflicted. He established the Helen Lewis Research Foundation at the University of Southern California to fund research. In 2016 Lewis moved the foundation to the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute where significant progress has been achieved. In addition, Lewis’ current research and development focus is to provide the United States with an economically viable method to gasify municipal garbage with glass at minimal impact on the environment.
