experience - knowledge - character - commitment

creating real economic development for Warrick county

Candidate Bio

Don and his wife Judy, who live in Gentryville, have been married since 1971 and they have 8 grown children, Jim, Darleen, Andrea, Veronica, Brian, Donald Jr. (DJ), Jamie, and Andrew. They also have 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
 

Don graduated from Reitz High School, then attended the University of Evansville in Adult Education for Banking, Management and Accounting and the University of Chicago Extension, studying Business Management & Employee Relations. He has been a Licensed Indiana Real Estate Broker since 1974 and graduated from the Kansas City Auction Academy and has been a Licensed Indiana Auctioneer since 1985. In 1995 Don obtained his Indiana Certified Residential Appraisers License.

As a part of his licensing each year he has an 8 hours refresher in Real Estate, a 14 hour annual refresher as an Appraisal and 5 hours refresher for his Auctioneer training.

He has 33 years experience as a Realtor, Builder, Developer and Appraiser in Warrick County. He worked with Lemmons & Company as Vice President for Coal Leasing & Construction. Don has over 12 years experience in banking, finance and insurance as he worked in sales for Aetna Life and Colonial National Bank where he was a Vice President & Loan Officer. He also worked at Old National Bank in Operations as a Loan Officer & Assistant.

In addition to his work experience Don's knowledge of Warrick County is extensive as he has spent many hours of service devoted and dedicated to Warrick County Economic Development. In 1975 he was the founding Chairman of the Board of the Warrick County Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board for over 30 years including terms as President in 1984-1985, 1986-1988 & 2001-2003 and is currently on the Chamber's Board as a  Director.

Don is also currently a Director on the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana and the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Lee is the past Director of the Warrick County Economic Development Advisory Council, the Warrick County Local Development Corporation, the Warrick County Redevelopment Commission, the Easter Seals Society, WORK ONE in Evansville, Evansville Area Private Industry Council, and Evansville ONE. Don also has served as the past Director of Warrick County Habitat for Humanity and worked for 3 years as a General Contractor for the Evansville Habitat Home Blitz.

He is a past member of the Newburgh Plan Commission, the Newburgh Board of Zoning Appeals and in addition he is a past member and former  President of the Newburgh Town Council.

Don is a current member of the Southwest Indiana Builders Association, the Newburgh Moose Lodge, Boonville Elks Lodge and Newburgh Sons of the  American Legion as well as a member of Rolling Hills Country Club.

He is a 12 year veteran of the Indiana Methodist Conference where annually he spent 1 week each year performing church mission work in Johns Island, South Carolina.

Some of Don's Professional Accomplishments include the President of Evansville Area Association of Realtors MLS Service Corporation and the Region 12 Vice President of the Indiana Association of Realtors. In 1990 he received the "Outstanding Service Award" from the Warrick County Chamber of Commerce and in 1994 he was named "Realtor of the Year" from the Evansville Area Association of Realtors.

In 1998 he received “Life Membership” in the Warrick County Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the Warrick County Chamber of Commerce
"Civic Improvement Award" in 2007.

Goals

Don has numerous goals for Warrick County but most importantly he wants to create real economic development, bringing new employers who will provide good paying jobs, to give the children who were born in Warrick County an opportunity to stay closer to home, where they can earn a fair and descent wage.

Don knows what it is firsthand to have family spread all over, with members living in AK, NC, VA, KY, CA. and FL and that is one of the reasons, if elected, he will continue to work hard to help create new good paying and secure jobs to keep our young people living in Warrick County.

He also hopes to take more of the burden of funding the county off of the homeowners, by making the business climate one that will encourage new businesses to move to Warrick County and help existing ones expand their operations, allowing more revenue to be added from these sources.

Don also wants to develop a climate of cooperation and understanding between all the various government organizations, not only on the county level, but with the cities, towns and township officers.

By using his knowledge, character, commitment and previous business and government experience he hopes to foster a more cooperative relationship that will really get things done in ways the residents of Warrick County have never previously seen.

With your help and support, Don can help make Warrick County into the type of place where both businesses and families will want to call home! 
 

To email Don: c21donlee@aol.com

 

experience - knowledge - character - commitment

creating real economic development for Warrick county