John Allen Lawrence

JOHN A. LAWRENCE
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR
John A. Lawrence from Chestertown, Maryland, USA, was elected to serve a two-year term as
an international director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 105th International
Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, July 7 through July 11, 2023.
After serving in the US Army, Director Lawrence had a career as a civil servant in the
Department of Defense. During this time, he created and led a division of 120 research
mathematicians and linguists. He also served as a distinguished visiting professor at the US
Airforce Academy and was certified as a professional in computer science, mathematics, and
education. He was also honored as a distinguished member of the Crypto-Mathematics Institute.
After looking for an opportunity to give back to his community, he found his answer when his
friend asked him to become a Lion. Since joining the Kent Island Lions Club in 1997, he
held a number of offices within the association including multiple district council chairperson,
multiple district leadership development chairperson and multiple district convention
chairperson. He also served as a Regional Lions Leadership Institute coordinator, an
International Convention presenter and a moderator for the USA/Canada forum. Additionally, he
has served as the chairman of the Lions Vision Research Foundation to support the Wilmer Eye
Institute of the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
In recognition of his service to the association, he has received numerous awards including
multiple International President’s Awards, International President’s Leadership Awards and
International President’s Certificates of Appreciation. He is a an Arnall Patz Fellow and a
Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.
In addition to his Lions activities, Director Lawrence is active in numerous professional and
community organizations. He served as state coordinator of the Maryland AARP Tax-Aide
program for which he received the AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award, the
Andrus Award for Community Service. Additionally, he is a member of the County Citizens
Advisory Board for a youth center and a member of the executive board of the local American
Legion Post.
Director Lawrence and his partner in service, PDG Carol Schoonover, also a Lion and
Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, share four children and four grandchildren between them.