Lee was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He earned a degree in accounting at CSU, Chico and began his career as an IRS agent, which led to him receiving his CPA certificate. Lee then attended McGeorge School of Law, and in 1977 he went to work at Carr, Kennedy, Peterson and Frost, where he became an equal partner. In 1985 Lee began representing Leah McConnell, joining the Board the same year. In 1989 he left his law practice and became an employee of Mrs. McConnell and the Foundation. After Leah’s death in 1995, he became the full-time President & CEO of the Foundation. In 2017 Lee semi-retired, and in 2018 he fully retired. Lee and his wife Judy enjoy traveling and spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.