Caleb Lee will become the company’s next CEO as longtime leader Richard Perko prepares to step down this summer

According to a report by WSMV Nashville, Caleb Lee, the son of Bill Lee and longtime owner of the Lee Company, is set to take the reins of the family business. According to the company, Chief Executive Officer Richard Perko, who began his career at Lee Company in 1996 as a project engineer, will step down July 31.

Perko was named president in 2009.

From WSMV:

“It has been an honor to serve as CEO of Lee Company,” Perko said. “I’m grateful to the Lee family for their confidence in me over these many years, to our employees for the trust they’ve placed in my leadership, and to our many loyal customers for the relationships we’ve built together.”

Lee joined Lee Company in July 2013 as a project engineer.

“Throughout the past decade, his career has grown in step with the company’s mission to create a workplace where employees can thrive,” according to the company.

In August of last year, Caleb Lee was named Lee Company’s FM2 group leader and vice president.

“Caleb’s journey reflects his dedication to excellence and professional growth. After starting as a project engineer, he moved into design roles, becoming a design engineer and later director of project design and estimating in 2018. In this position, he led engineering, design-build, virtual support, pre-fabrication, and estimating teams for pre-construction and business units. He was promoted to senior director of Smart Buildings in 2023, paving the way for his current leadership responsibilities,” according to the company.

Richard Perko

From WSMV:

“Our team has built something special here,” Lee said. “Our culture, market reach, a work family of nearly 2,000 people, and the breadth of services we offer are second to none. I’m honored and humbled to move into this role and to lead our innovative team into the future.”
“Caleb and I have worked on this transition for years,” Perko said. “The timing is right. The company is well positioned for what’s ahead under Caleb’s leadership, alongside a strong and experienced leadership team. With the company in good hands, I’m energized for what’s ahead, both personally and professionally.”

Lee currently serves as the company’s vice president of FM2 and smart buildings. He joined Lee Company in 2013 as a project engineer and worked his way up to director of project design and estimating and senior director of smart buildings.

Lee is set to take over the position Aug. 1.

Photos via Lee Company.

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