Al Kisler served twenty-one years in the United States Army. During this period, he held a variety of command and staff positions in diverse aviation organizations, which included two tours of duty in South East Asia. He served as principal advisor to the Director of Advanced Systems for Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) and Material Acquisition for the United States Army Aviation Systems Command. Kisler coordinated the Army Aviation research efforts within the U.S. Army/NASA Laboratories in pursuing advanced technology to solve aviation deficiencies. His decorations include the Purple Heart for combat related injuries. Al retired from United States Army in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Upon retirement, Kisler assumed the position of director of Special Mission Aircraft programs for Beech Aircraft Corporation (Raytheon) Wichita, Kansas. His duties included the development of special mission aircraft and sensor systems to meet the requirements of DOD, U.S. Government agencies and allied foreign governments. He provided scientific and technical information, concerning feasibility and risk of implementation of new programs within the U.S. Government. Over his flying career, he has amassed 10,500 flying hours as Pilot in Command in Jets, Turbo-Props and Helicopters.
He co-founded a high technology company and in conjunction with David Sarnoff Laboratories and Stanford Research Institute, developed the first High-Resolution, Digital Panoramic Aerial Image Collection System designed for mapping.
Kisler served as a consultant to numerous Fortune 500 companies (Anheuser Busch, Archer Daniels Midland, Emerson Electric) in providing solutions for corporate aviation requirements.
He participated as a member of the management team in the development of the Command and Control vehicles in support of the Departments Homeland Defense and Homeland Security, the concept for a Threat Fusion Center in support of the 2010 Olympic Games, and communications interoperability between Federal, State and Local government agencies.
Al is a co-founder and partner of an International Investment Company with operations in South America, Asia and Eastern Europe. Al serves on the Advisory Board for Segs4Vets. Segs4Vets is an all volunteer grass roots organization that has provided over 350 Segways to disabled veterans returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Segs4Vets has been awarded the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence. Fewer than 2000 out of the 1,000,000 charities in the U.S. have been awarded this seal of excellence.
Ces Lawton´s professional background is as diverse as his commitment to his community. As a police officer with the City of Orlando, Lawton developed, created and administered the innovative Central Florida Crimewatch Program (now known as Crimeline). With the help of the University of Central Florida Communication Department, Crimewatch produced 52 felony reenactments in their first year netting the program the coveted Walt Disney World Outstanding Community Service Award in 1978. Today, Crimeline solves nearly 1000 crimes annually recovering millions in property and drugs.
Ces Lawton responded to his family call to take over their family commercial printing business in 1978. Over the next 28 years, he would take a very small 78 year old company and catapult it into one of the most awarded and recognized printing business in the Southeast. Lawton Printers became industry leaders moving into the digital age while physically moving to Casselberry. They have become synonymous with political printing. Today, Lawton´s oldest daughter, and her husband, purchased the company and moved it, yet again, to great heights. In their short years since 2006, Kimberly serves the state board for the Printing Association of Florida. Their awards and accolades continue because of their innovative advancements and dedication to their community. Over 109 years later, Lawton Printers remains one of the country´s oldest, continually run family printing business´ in the country! While developing printing clients, Ces Lawton subsequently formed Harbour Communications to go after political direct mail. Over the next ten years, it developed into a very successful political consulting business handling campaigns on the local, county and state level. The success of their candidates evolved Harbour Communications into lobbying both in Florida and Washington DC.
Community Service has always been the backbone of his existence. In his early years out of college, he began serving on a number of not for profit boards. In 1985, Ces became the youngest Governor in the history of Kiwanis International leading Florida´s 16,500 members.
Real estate drew him into the world of retirement homes and investments. His efforts in helping others invest in the rapidly growing industry resulted in his appearance on ABC´s 20/20 in September 2006. To that end, he was drawn to Bolivia to develop real estate clientele. During his year in, and out, of Bolivia, he was compelled to form. This charitable organization, developed to raise their standard of living, touched hundreds of Bolivians, enabling them to receive eyeglasses or basic dental work.
Today, Ces Lawton continues to honor his country by partnering with a combat-wounded, service disabled veteran in Eco Printing and Publishing. A percentage of every sale is committed to go towards the life enhancement of combat wounded veterans.
