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Charles Lee

A former executive with IBM and with the Washington, D.C.-based Council for the Advancement and Support of  Education (CASE), Lee’s emphasis since joining Raines’ administration in 2002 has been on improving University business processes.  Under his leadership, the Division of Business and Finance has been the recipient of multiple Quality awards from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence, and the Greater Memphis Association for Quality.  Annual audits of University finances by the state have all been completed with no finding of any problems.  With his advice, the financial performance of the University of Memphis Foundation rates among the best in the nation.  His innovative plan for financing property acquisitions to bring to life the University’s master plan was the first of its kind for the State of Tennessee.

Lee has also been an active leader and representative outside of the University.   He serves as president of the University Neighborhood Development Corporation (UNDC), the entity that has partnered with surrounding neighborhoods, local businesses, and major developers to lead the revitalization of the University area.  He is also chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mid-South Minority Business Council and a member of the boards of the Greater Memphis Community Foundation, the Better Business Bureau, Porter-Leath, and the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence

A native of Memphis, Lee is married to the former Cenetta Jamison, also of Memphis.  They plan to move to Southport, N.C., where Lee will play more golf and remain active in volunteer work for the community.

A search committee will be formed to interview candidates for Lee’s successor.  No timetable has been announced for that process.