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Lee Wetherington
Building Dreams
by Tracy Esinaugle
lifestyle photography by Chad Spencer
Revered, Respected, Influential, Generous, Honorable, Unexpected…
Lee Wetherington is a prominent figure in the Suncoast, when asked to describe Lee the popular depiction would mainly be in regard to his professional persona; Lee is a successful and respected award winning homebuilder. Known primarily as a man who tells it like it is, stands firmly behind his convictions, and is not afraid of a little hard work to get the job done right. But there is a contrary side to Lee, concealed behind his resilient builder façade is a humorous and modest man who is often overcome by his generous heart and continual passion for the community and the families who declare it home.
A former Marine who still lives by the honorable code, appreciates his freedoms and is grateful for the opportunities a life of hard work has bestowed. After his tour of duty Lee returned to Jacksonville where he worked for the family drywall business; starting as a construction laborer and working his way up the ranks. In 1976 Lee relocated to Sarasota where he and a partner launched RichLee Construction, the partnership later dissolved and in 1981 Lee Wetherington Homes was established. Working from a model home garage, Lee performed every function of the business from sales, design, and selections through the completion of construction. Years of hard work, determination and developing lasting relationships has resulted in successfully transforming the Lee Wetherington brand into the well-regarded enterprise it is today. Presently, Lee still works full time, is very much involved in the daily transactions and is notorious for taking a personal interest in each home they build.
With all his success and fortune one might assume that Lee would be jet setting around world to lavish vacation homes on a private plane or cruising the oceans on a magnificent yacht but the truth is he remains humble and lives a modest lifestyle. No abundant list of toys, boats, planes or multiple addresses. Instead Lee enjoys living downtown, eating at local hangouts and an occasional round of golf. Continuing to give back to community through acts of service and granting gracious gifts to those in need.
Lee’s first charitable act was in 1977 delivering for Meals On Wheels. This later led to his involvement with Girl’s Inc., Children’s Heaven, the United Way’s Day of Sharing and the construction of the reading garden at the Fruitville Library. Working with multiple organizations overtime allowed Lee to find his niche, taking great satisfaction in focusing his philanthropic mission on the education and character building of children and families.
In 1991 Lee joined the board of The Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Sarasota, he was attracted to the opportunity to work with Mac Reid and shared Mac’s vision to take the club from a gym and swim to an educational and character building facility, with an emphasis on making the club accessible to kids from every economic background. In 2000 Lee chaired the building, fundraising and architectural committees to assist in the construction of the new 38,000 square foot Lee Wetherington Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Sarasota, Lee personally donated $500,000 for the resurrection of the facility.
Also concerned with the effects of development and building on our local environment, Lee recently received accolades for his land and monetary donations to the Oscar Scherer State Park. Lee’s company proudly employs the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Building Standards for every home they build and they are also the first homebuilder in the Sarasota /Manatee area to become a 100% partner with ENERGY STAR.
To broaden his philanthropic efforts and to gain support with fund management Lee entrusted The Community Foundation with an endowment of two million dollars over the past five years. Believing in the benevolent aspirations of The Community Foundation Lee has taken on the role of the 2007-2008 Chairman of the Board.
Supporting the causes he strongly believes in, Lee is a complex man who modestly conceals his giving nature. Inspiring others and making a conscious effort to give back to the community that has blessed him with great success, Lee Wetherington proves to be a gracious man of honor who walks the walk and talks the talk.
www.lwhomes.com [2]
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