Steven J. Lepper
Steven J. Lepper is a retired Air Force judge advocate currently engaged in the active practice of law and as a trustee or director on the boards of multiple non-profit corporations. Following 35 years of active duty Air Force service, culminating in a four-year term as Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Air Force, Steve served for one year as the Director of the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative and for over nine years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Military Banks of America, a non-profit trade association founded in 1959 to partner with the Department of Defense for the benefit of military members and their families. A retired major general, Steve spent most of his career as a legal advisor and counselor to senior U.S. government and military leaders and serving in leadership roles himself. He was honored to serve in several positions of great responsibility, including as a Military Judge, Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and chief crisis communicator for the Air Force.
Steve is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in mathematics and operations research. He also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Golden Gate University, a Juris Doctor degree from Duke University, and a Master of Laws (International and Comparative Law) degree from Georgetown University. He is a distinguished graduate of the National War College, National Defense University, where he received a Master of National Security Strategy degree.
Steve is an active member of the North Carolina and Colorado Bars and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the North Carolina Supreme Court, the Colorado Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. His military awards and decorations include two Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and three Legions of Merit.
Steve currently serves as a director or trustee of the Air Force Aid Society, Arnold Air Society/Silver Wings, the Better Business Bureau Institute of Marketplace Trust, The US Space Force Historical Foundation, The Air Force Judge Advocate General’s School Foundation, The American College of National Security Leaders, The Airlift-Tanker Association, and The Leaders’ Council of the Legal Services Corporation. He is a former Chair of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel.
Steve and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters and five grandchildren. They live in Merritt Island, Florida.
