Lew Montgomery is the senior HR director for Finance and Operations, leading a team of nine professionals who provide a wide range of human resources functions and leadership for diversity, equity, and inclusion. In his previous role, Montgomery served as associate director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Employee Experience for Finance and Operations. He has also been serving as the interim associate athletics director for DEI since late February 2022. He will continue to support Athletics DEI initiatives in a reduced capacity as the department transitions to hiring a permanent director this summer.

Montgomery is known for his leadership on and off the field. A native of Waterloo, he was a standout athlete at Waterloo East High School where he was a two-time All-State running-back and All-American and was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Football Players’ Hall of Fame in 2007. He is probably best known as an All-Big Ten fullback at the University of Iowa, where he lettered all four years, was co-captain, and played in the Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Holiday Bowl under coach Hayden Fry. 

His athletic success is paralleled in his professional career. Montgomery has an extensive background in Human Resources, Diversity Leadership and Community Relations roles for major companies like Coca-Cola Enterprises, Alliant Energy, ConAgra Foods, Inc and most recently at ACT Testing. He is currently the Associate Director for DE&I Employee Experience for Finance and Operations and Interim Associate Athletics Director at the University of Iowa. Montgomery graduated with a degree in Communication Studies and has mastered his passion for helping people by earning his credentials from the bottom up where he started his professional career over 30 years ago.   

Montgomery is CEO of Lucas Gear, LLC an e-commerce company specializing in sportswear for athletes and business professionals. He also owns and operates Gridiron Solutions, LLC, which is a corporate consulting branch, which includes a non-profit arm that champions fundraising efforts for research for Sanfilippo Syndrome, a genetic condition his son was diagnosed with in 2007.  

As a respected community leader, his involvement with underserved youth has earned him a successful career as a motivational and inspirational speaker. He earned the Hawkeye Community College Speakers award and the KBBG Radio Key to the City award for outstanding leadership and contributions to the community.  

Montgomery and his wife, Stacey, have four children: Mariah, Chelsey, Hailee, and Lucas. He serves on boards for multiple non-profit and community organizations, is a lifetime member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, and part of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. He remains active with supporting high school sports, serving as a sports analyst for KCRG 9.2 in the fall and enjoys kickboxing and relaxes by playing golf and making music as a DJ.