William “Larry” Lucas served as Vice President, Government Affairs Diversity Programs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), an association representing the leading research-based biopharmaceutical companies. In this position, Mr. Lucas worked with the U. S. Congress, state legislators and local elected official on issues impacting patient access to medicines, access to quality health care and the research-based pharmaceutical industry. In this capacity, he also wrote a nationally syndicated monthly column about new developments in medical innovation. Mr. Lucas joined PhRMA – then known as PMA – in 1990 as an Associate Vice President. Prior to joining PhRMA, Mr. Lucas held various public affairs roles at such organizations as the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Gulf Oil Corporation, Michigan Consolidated Gas Companies, Primark Corporation’s Hospital Satellite Network and the Bureau of Census. In his 16 years with the Bureau of Census, he initiated a landmark outreach campaign for the 1980 Census Program that involved using all government jurisdictions. He worked as a DJ at Radio Stations WOKJ, Jackson, MS and WCHD/WJZZ, Detroit, MI. Mr. Lucas is a graduate of Jackson State University in Mississippi, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and honorable served the nation in the United States Air Force.
In 2009, Mr. Lucas received the National Medical Association’s Scroll of Merit Award, the National Hispanic Medical Association Leadership Award and National Minority Quality Forum, Health Promotion and Disease prevention Award. He received the 2010 Congressional Black Caucus Fall Health Braintrust’s first Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also honored in the Congressional Record dated May 28, 2010, for his “dedication and illustrious career which, over many decades, has always championed to improve the health and wellness of all people, but particularly of the underserved”. On February 24, 2011, the Mississippi Legislature presented House Concurrent Resolution Number 48 to Mr. Lucas “commending the impeccable service and career accomplishments on the occasion of being honored by the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus”. On July 18, 2012, the Washington Government Relations Group presented Mr. Lucas with their “Tin Cup” Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2020, he received the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., Phoenix Body Award.
Mr. Lucas served on several Boards that included: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Congressional Black Caucus Institute, National NAACP Board of Trustees – Special Contribution Fund, National Black Caucus of State Legislators Corporate Roundtable, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators Corporate Advisory Committee, Tougaloo College, Philander Smith College, National Democrat Club and Franklin Square Club.