Plunged into the dynamic, high-paced life of an international executive, Lee found himself traveling to cities from London and Melbourne to Santiago and Cape Town. He thrived on the responsibility, successfully managing business units of 200+ individuals, but he eventually came to the realization that he wanted something that he could call his own—something that he could develop into a lasting legacy.

And so, at the age of 38, Lee took the bold step of putting his dreams into action and establishing VCH. Then, at the age of 45, he left the ranks of corporate America in order to devote his full attention to his company. Drawing upon his insights and experiences from 20+ years in the industry, he built his start-up into a flourishing general contracting business, which generates over $3M in revenue annually. Even now, Lee still finds it inspiring—and humbling—to help people achieve the unique sense of security and satisfaction that home ownership brings. He also recently founded a second entity named LAH 53, LLC, a consulting firm that helps individuals, nonprofits, and small investment groups to navigate and manage construction and land development initiatives.

Through it all, Lee remains mindful of the background that helped shape who he is. Having been raised as a son of small-town America, he has always valued hard work and fair treatment. He grew up in Opelousas, Louisiana, and spent a significant amount of time during the summers and holidays in the rural town where his grandparents lived. In fact, Lee ended up living on a five-acre expanse that his father named Little Acres, absorbing his family’s values and learning to appreciate the outdoors. Also central to his childhood was his family’s spiritual life and the local community church. Growing up, he served as an acolyte at his church and attended the Sunday school where his mother taught every week.

During this time, Lee also excelled in the local 4-H club, through which he raised and showed lambs and steers. These experiences helped reinforce the lifelong qualities that his parents had worked so hard to instill, such as dedication, respect, and compassion. Just as importantly, his success in activities like 4-H afforded Lee the opportunity to explore a world beyond his immediate surroundings. It expanded his awareness and led him to discover—and then pursue—a love of math and science. By applying mathematical and scientific principles to solving problems, he developed a passion for analytical thinking and pushed himself to earn both his BS and MS degrees in engineering.

In many ways, this love of engineering ultimately led Lee to the success that he enjoys today. Never one to fall into complacency, however, he continues to pursue his passion for helping the next generation by working with the High School to College mentoring program, Junior Achievement, and A Voteless People Is a Hopeless People, where he is a volunteer deputy registrar for Harris County. Widely recognized for his community service and philanthropy, Lee is proud to be a founding member of Southern University’s 1880 Society Fund, and is a life member of both Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Southern University Alumni Association.

Aside from his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, Lee is a Certified Green Professional (CGP) and Certified Master Builder(CMB), which is the highest designation granted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). He is also  currently serving his third term as a commissioner on the Board of Building and Standards for the City of Bellaire. Yet despite his many responsibilities, Lee has always insisted upon making his family a priority, and he enjoys nothing more than spending time with his  wife and three children.