Lee Construction Company and Lee Engineering Corporation were incorporated in 1935 by A. Carl Lee, an outgrowth of activity from the W. S. Lee Engineering Corporation. Mr. Lee had experience as a supervisor on hydroelectric development and steam plant construction for Duke Power as well as construction projects at Duke University. As the company’s position in the industry took hold during the 1930’s and 1940’s there were projects for R. J. Reynolds, Duke Power, Davidson College, Washington Mills, Belmont Throwing Corporation, and Carolina Power & Light.
In 1950, the company moved to new offices on West Worthington Avenue and Mr. William F. Lee took leadership. Mr. Lee moved the company from general commercial and industrial construction into municipal construction, primarily water and sewer plants. The company prospered through the 1960’s and 1970’s by becoming a leading utility contractor in the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia.
In 1979, National Engineering and Contracting Company of Strongsville, Ohio purchased Lee Construction Company from Mr. Lee. Lee continued to build water and sewer plants. In 1984, Mr. Jimmie Neese became President and Lee relocated to a larger office on Culp Road in Charlotte. During these years, the company expanded into bridge and highway construction with an emphasis on highway infrastructure improvements for the North and South Carolina Departments of Transportation. Lee hired Ronald P. Shaw as Vice-President of Operations in 1995.
In 1997, Lee Construction Company was purchased and named Lee Construction Company of the Carolinas, Inc., as a wholly owned subsidiary of W.C. English, Inc., Lynchburg, VA. Lee continued to successfully build wastewater treatment facilities and heavy highway projects through the late 1990’s. In 2004, Ronald Shaw succeeded Jimmie Neese as President.
The company continues its successful track record in heavy highway projects, design/build and specialty heavy civil projects, primarily in North and South Carolina. The Lee team prides itself in its commitment to quality work and personnel and delivering projects that are of high quality and on schedule to its customers. Lee is also proud to be associated with the Carolinas Association of General Contractors (CAGC) whose commitment to quality knowledge and work in the construction industry helps to maintain the high standards that are Lee’s benchmark.
