July 13, 2026

CLAREMONT, CA—The Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College (CMC) has appointed Riley Lewis ’11 to the Institute’s Board of Governors, effective July 1.  

Lewis, an alumnus of Claremont McKenna College and the Rose Institute, is an Investment Performance Manager at the Lewis Group of Companies.

Lewis has worked for the Lewis Group for eight years. The Lewis Group of Companies was founded in 1955 in Claremont and has since grown to become one of the largest privately held real estate businesses in California. Headquartered in Upland, California, the Lewis Group focuses on developing master-planned communities and residential subdivisions in California and Nevada, as well as building and owning rental communities, shopping centers, and office and industrial parks. Riley’s role involves managing the company’s internal asset valuations, cash flow forecasting, and project performance analysis. It is worth noting that among the members of the Lewis family who are active in the multigenerational business, six are graduates of Claremont McKenna College. 

“I’m honored to join the Rose Institute Board of Governors,” said Lewis. “I’m grateful for the chance to give back to an organization that was such an essential part of my CMC experience. I’d like to help ensure that current and future CMC students can enjoy the same exceptional opportunities I received from the Institute, from education on real-world issues to contributing to research projects through roles not typically offered to undergraduates.”

The Rose Institute produces outstanding work on topics that are critical to our industry. Real estate development is deeply connected with state and local housing and land use policy. Success in our industry requires a thorough understanding of today’s policy landscape and where it may be headed. From the recent housing policy studies to the annual Housing Symposium, the Rose Institute has been an incredibly valuable resource in helping me to understand current issues. The fact that the Institute’s thoughtful and thorough research is produced by undergraduates makes it even more impressive.” 

Lewis worked as a Rose Institute research assistant from 2007 to 2011. After graduating from CMC with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, he became a Project Analyst at Developers Research, a boutique real estate consulting firm in Irvine, CA. In 2015, he earned his Master's in Business Administration from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and a Master’s in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California’s Price School. Between 2016 and 2018, he worked as a Real Estate Analyst for Aviva Investors in New York City before returning to California to join the Lewis Group. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (currently inactive) and licensed real estate broker. He lives in the Claremont Village with his wife, a Scripps alum, and their three children. 

“Riley’s commitment to the Rose Institute and his understanding of state and local government from the perspective of the real estate industry and broader business community make him an outstanding addition to the Board,” noted Ken Miller, director of the Rose Institute. His experience and insights will strengthen the Institute’s research and teaching mission.”

The Rose Institute’s Board of Governors provides strategic advice to the Institute and works closely with its faculty and students. The Board includes government officials, consultants, election lawyers, business leaders, and journalists.