BIOGRAPHY

Lee T. Montgomery is a seasoned nonprofit executive, educator, and leadership development strategist with over twenty-five years of experience guiding organizations toward impact and sustainability. A strategic operator across manufacturing and nonprofit settings, he is recognized for aligning people, processes, and resources to deliver measurable improvements in safety, productivity, cost containment, and morale. His track record includes optimizing operations, managing large-scale budgets, mentoring teams, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. A proud Kentuckian, Lee’s leadership journey began on the baseball fields of Tennessee Wesleyan College, where he arrived as a student–athlete and left with a degree and a lifelong partner. He and his wife, Anne, have been married for more than thirty years and are the grateful parents of two daughters, Sara and Maggie. Rooted in his Appalachian upbringing, Lee brings humility, heart, and humor to building healthy teams and thriving cultures. Whether in a boardroom or a community center, his passion is unlocking human potential through values-driven leadership. Lee is a professor at the Goodfriend School of Business at Tennessee Wesleyan University and the acting Chief Operating Officer for Blue Skies Innovations, providing nonprofit and leadership consulting, as well as modern business solutions. Off the clock, he’s a devoted Kentucky Wildcats fan, an avid cook, and a recent sourdough enthusiast. A lifelong learner and an aspiring man of faith, he believes that great leaders are always in a state of development, and that integrity, curiosity, and compassion are the strongest credentials a person can possess.