On November 6, 2018, Bill Lee was elected to serve as the 50th Governor of Tennessee. As a seventh-generation Tennessean, Bill’s roots run deep in this state. He was born in Franklin where he still resides today with his wife Maria on his family’s farm. He’s the proud father of four adult children (Jessica, twin sons Jacob and Caleb, and Sarah Kate) and five grandchildren.

After attending Williamson County Schools, Bill went to Auburn University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. When he graduated, he returned home to Franklin to join the family business his grandfather started in 1944. Through hard work, Bill learned what it takes to lead a company, doing what is necessary to help build a business and create jobs. He held several roles at Lee Company before becoming President of the company in 1992. Under Bill’s leadership, the company grew into a comprehensive facilities solutions and home services company.

Now, Lee Company employs more than 1,200 individuals with annual revenues in excess of $220 million. The company has won numerous awards for work culture and business accomplishments. Bill was named a “Most Admired CEO” in 2015 by the Nashville Business Journal and Lee Company was chosen by The Tennessean as the best large company to work for three years in a row.

In addition to his responsibilities as Chairman of Lee Company, Bill is also active in Triple L Ranch, a third-generation family farm founded by his grandparents. Triple L Ranch operates a 1,000-acre, 300-head Hereford cattle operation.

As Governor-elect, Bill is focused on several priorities to keep Tennessee moving in the right direction, so it is not only one of the best places to work and raise family, but that it will lead the nation. This includes initiatives like expanding vocational education in our state, ensuring our rural areas thrive, and rethinking our criminal justice system.

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