Lee Posey (1934 – 2008)

Lee Posey (1934 – 2008), a nationally recognized businessman, philanthropist and activist. As a native of Detroit, Michigan, Lee graduated ''magna cum laude'' from Alma College, Alma, Michigan, in 1956. Upon graduation, he entered the homebuilding industry and joined Redman Industries, a NYSE–listed company headquartered in Dallas, Texas and became involved in providing affordable homes, built in factories for speed, quality and efficiency. By the age of 33, he was named president and held that position for ten years, taking Redman from financial failure to profitability in a short time.

In 1977, Mr. Posey founded Palm Harbor Homes, Inc., based in Dallas, TX and served as Chairman of the Board until 2005 when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As Chairman Emeritus Lee continued to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors until his death. Mr. Posey was the driving force for both the cultural and business development of Palm Harbor and built a unique company known for innovative design, construction and marketing. He lived by example and was passionate about empowering employees with the tools and responsibility they need to achieve even beyond their own expectations. His focus and personal involvement have resulted in the development of a public company providing more than 240,000 affordable homes and 72,000 jobs nationally since company’s inception. Demonstrating his early vision, Palm Harbor’s mission statement today is still the same one Mr. Posey wrote more than 30 years ago, “To build beautiful dream homes that produce referrals from their friends and family and to provide good jobs for employees who act as owners and make it the best job they ever had.”

In every aspect of his life, Mr. Posey was passionate about his pursuits and was a lifelong learner, difference maker and teacher to all he knew. In addition to his distinguished business career, he graciously shared his extraordinary leadership skills with his church and community. He was a lifelong member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. He served on the Board of Dallas Habitat for Humanity, and the Board of Governors of the Dallas Symphony. In 1999, he was the recipient of the Tyler Cup, awarded annually to business leaders for the promotion of wellness. In 2002, he joined the Cooper Institute Board of Trustees. He served five years as a Trustee of Alma College, and served on the President’s Advisory Board of Austin College, in Sherman, Texas. He also served on the Board of Monaco Coach Company from 1996 until 2001.

Mr. Posey was fond of saying, “Our humanity is measured by our generosity.” He will be fondly remembered for his extreme generosity and life-long commitment to make a difference in his community, with a particular interest in education. Above all, he was passionate about helping other people improve their lives. He and his wife, Sally, shared this passion, and together, they founded the Posey Family Foundation, an organization focused on providing educational opportunities and college preparation for at-risk students. They have also personally provided one-on-one mentoring programs and college education for more than 90 underprivileged young women. In the late 90’s, Mr. Posey expanded his vision. Inspired by the Young Women’s Leadership School of New York, an all-female public school in Harlem that reported a high college attendance rate, Mr. and Mrs. Posey led the effort to work with the Dallas Independent School District to establish similar schools in Dallas.

In a trail blazing effort promoting single-gender education in Texas, Mr. Posey began partnering with local school districts to provide single-gender education to young women throughout the state. In August 2004, the  Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, named after the first Mexican-American woman in the Texas Legislature, opened its doors to 126 fortunate seventh and eighth grade girls. The first all-female public school established in Texas, its mission is to cultivate dynamic, participatory learning, enabling students to experience great academic success at many levels, especially in the fields of science, math and technology. By its 4th year, the Irma Rangel School’s Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) scores are overwhelmingly higher than scores of their district peers in Dallas and in the state of Texas.

In 2002, Mr. and Mrs. Posey established the Foundation for the Education of Young Women with a commitment to provide financial support to every young woman who graduates from these single-gender schools and is accepted into college. Since starting his foundation, Mr. Posey worked tirelessly to provide educational opportunities to more young female students by creating additional single-gender schools in the urban public school systems. As a result of his efforts, the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders opened in Austin in August 2007 and two additional schools opened in August 2008 in San Antonio and Lubbock.