Who is Bill Lee - the Governor of Tennessee: Biography, Personal Life, Career, Family and Profile

Photo: Nashville Scene

Early life and career

Lee was raised on his family's 1,000-acre (400 ha) cattle farm started by his grandparents in Franklin, Tennessee, the Triple L Ranch; the family raises Hereford cattle. He is a seventh-generation Tennessean

After graduating from Franklin High School in his hometown, Lee entered Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama in 1977 and graduated in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. In college, Lee was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order.

Lee was named president and CEO of his family's home-services and construction company, Lee Company, holding the position from 1992 until 2016. He briefly served as chairman.

Bill Lee's Biography

William Byron Lee (born October 9, 1959) is an American businessman and politician serving as the 50th governor of Tennessee. Elected in 2018, Lee campaigned as a business-oriented member of the Republican Party. Before entering politics he held various positions at the Lee Company, an inherited family business; he was the company's president and CEO from 1992 to 2016.

Bill Lee is a seventh-generation Tennessean and the 50th Governor of Tennessee. He was raised in Franklin, where he still resides today with his wife, Maria, on his family’s farm, as cited by TN.Gov.

After attending Williamson County Schools, Governor Lee attended Auburn University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he returned home to Franklin to join the family business his grandfather started in 1944, a comprehensive mechanical construction service company. He became president of Lee Company in 1992.

Now, Governor Lee is focused on several priorities, including good jobs, great schools, and safe neighbourhoods so we can keep Tennessee moving in the right direction.

"Traveling around the state, I've learned that most Tennesseans have a few things in common they want a good job, a good school for their kids, and a safe neighbourhood for their families. I hope to earn your support and deliver those things for your family and every other family across our state", said Lee.

Photo: WKRN

During his first year in office, Governor Lee passed a series of legislative initiatives to strengthen career and technical training, expand school choice, pursue criminal justice reform, improve public safety, and sharpen the effectiveness of government. His administration is also focused on the accelerated transformation of rural Tennessee.

Under his leadership, Tennessee was named the number one best fiscally managed state in the country, the best business climate in the U.S., number one in the nation for advanced industry job growth and the best state for small business growth. In the past year, the state has garnered 108 project commitments to create 16,500 jobs and $3.6 billion in capital investments, with Mitsubishi, FedEx-Logistics, JNJ, Pilot.com, Hyosung, Amazon, Smile Direct, Icee, and dozens of other companies choosing to invest in Tennessee's business-friendly environment.

Bill Lee's Family

Lee lives in Fernvale with his second wife, Maria, whom he married in October 2008. His first wife, Carol Ann, died in 2000 in a horseback riding accident. After her death, Lee took extended time off from his construction company to raise his four children: Jessica, twin sons Jacob and Caleb, and Sarah Kate.

Governor Lee and his wife announced May 16th as the Day of Service in the state of Tennessee. Photo: Local Memphis

About Bill Lee's Wife

Maria was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland and attended the University of Maryland, where she studied Elementary Education. It was her passion for service that brought her to Tennessee to lead girls in a discipleship group within the youth ministry at Christ Presbyterian Church. She stayed in Tennessee to become a third and fourth-grade teacher. Maria and Bill were married in 2008.

Bill and Maria are people of strong faith. They are active in Grace Chapel Church and in numerous faith-based ministries, which have taken them all over the world to serve people in need, including to Africa, Central America, and the Middle East.

Photo: The Tennesseean

Bill Lee's Career

Bill Lee (Republican Party) is the Governor of Tennessee. Lee assumed office on January 15, 2019. Lee's current term ends on January 21, 2023, according to Ballotpedia.

Lee (Republican Party) ran for election for Governor of Tennessee. Lee won in the general election on November 6, 2018.

That year, he won the general election by more than 30 percentage points after defeating five other candidates in the Republican primary.

Photo: The Tennesseean

From 1992 to 2016, Lee was the President and CEO of Lee Company, a mechanical contracting and home services company founded by Bill Lee's grandfather in 1944. At the time of Lee's election, the company employed over 1,200 people.

On October 14, 2020, Lee announced that he had tested negative coronavirus after a member of his security detail tested positive. Lee's office said he would be quarantined at home until further notice.

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