In 1944, Leon Lee founded Lee Refrigeration Company to serve the Middle Tennessee community. During that time, the average gallon of gas was twenty-one cents, and the population of Nashville was around 168,000 people. Fast forward to 2024: Nashville’s population sits at 692,000+, and Lee Company has 15 different offices with 1,600+ team members.
Much has changed throughout the last 80 years. But then again, much has stayed the same.
Family ties have been a common thread throughout Lee Company’s 80-year history. It all started with Leon Lee, and four generations of the Lee family continue his legacy.
Those family ties are present throughout our team, as there are numerous second and third-generation Lee Company employees: Fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, … even siblings, grandchildren, and grandparents!
The family environment created in 1944 by Leon Lee is truly that: a family. A close-knit, supportive group of people where trust and collaboration flourish. It wasn’t accomplished overnight, and success has not always been linear. Rough economic and financial hardships, and a worldwide pandemic, are just a few of the roadblocks we’ve endured. Our people and resilient leadership never wavered, and all steered us to growth and expansion.
As we look towards the next 80 years of Lee Company, history tells us there will be many more firsts, and much will change. How much larger can Nashville’s population grow? What will the latest innovations in technology look like?
In addition, our history tells us that generations of families will contribute to our mission to create a workplace where our employees can thrive, and to our vision, to be the professional provider of comprehensive solutions and services for facilities and homes.
Family is a source of togetherness, love, and above all, a blessing.
Thank you to all our communities, partners, employees, and customers for believing in our work and ethos for eight decades. We look forward to many more years of serving our friends in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia, who have become part of our family.
– A second-generation Lee Company employee, Drew Joiner, Digital Marketing Coordinator
