October 11, 2002

Lee Michael Kennedy named "Forty under 40"

Lee Michael's function as president of Lee Kennedy Co. is to "lead the daily operations of the Company while evaluating and negotiating new opportunities." However, Lee's role stretches far beyond the rudimentary management and development of this Boston-based general contracting company. His compassion, dedication and sheer desire to succeed are what truly establish him as president of Lee Kennedy Co.

Lee Michael has filled the shoes of virtually every position in the Company at one point or another during his career. Starting as a field laborer during school vacation in 1980, he has worked his way up the ranks, 22 years later, to become president. He knows the intricacies of field work, estimating and project management, all first hand. It is this deep-seeded background in the construction industry that gives him an exceptional advantage at successfully managing Lee Kennedy Co.

Lee Michael's father, Lee M. Kennedy, started Lee Kennedy Co. in 1978 but never encouraged his son to pursue a career in the Company. "He actually wanted me to do my own thing," notes Lee Michael. In college, he considered going into law or politics, and his father urged him to take an internship in Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry's office, but he felt the construction industry was better suited to his interests. Lee Michael earned a Bachelor's degree in history from St. Joseph's College but later returned to school to complete a degree in construction management form Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Lee Michael has been responsible for the management of some of Boston's most prestigious construction projects. He was the project manager for the award winning Boston Public Library McKim Building restoration, which returned the renowned Bates Hall to its original 20th century luster. Currently, he's overseeing the $62 million renovation of Harvard University's largest Library, Widener Library. Over the 24 years the Company has been in business, it has grown to a $130 million a year business. The Company over which he presides hangs its banner on many conspicuous sites around Boston, including the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square, and the Emerson College Tufte Performance and Production Center in the Theater District. Lee Michael's focus for the future is to expand the Company's geographic reach to other parts of New England.

Since becoming president, jobsite safety has become an important cause for him. His commitment to this issue is evident through the recent receipt of the Gold Safety Award from Liberty Mutual Group. Lee Kennedy Co. is one of only three companies within its General Contracting SIC group of 1,542 companies to receive this award. Rich Beaumont, Loss Prevention Consultant for Liberty Mutual best summarizes Lee Michael's efforts by saying, "Perhaps the most sincere form of praise is that when one of my customers asks for examples of industry best practices with regards to safety, I use Lee Kennedy Co. as a model." As a construction company, Lee Kennedy Co. builds buildings. But Lee Michael realizes that it's the city's youth that builds the future of Boston. Therefore, he has made a personal commitment to ensuring a better future for the city's youth. He's active with Youth Build Boston, a non-profit construction training program for individuals aged 18-24 years. Lee Kennedy Co. was the first general contractor in the city to partner with Youth Build to provide graduates co-op/intern opportunities. In addition to his work with Youth Build Boston, Lee Michael also serves on the Board of the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester. Lee Kennedy Co. provided the construction management, pro bono, for the new Boys & Girls Club's Paul R. McLaughlin Youth Center.

His other professional and community involvement includes being a member of the Labor Relations Committee of the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts, and serving on Boston City Council President Michael F. Flaherty's Finance Committee.

Despite all of Lee Michael's accomplishments, he still maintains his modesty. In regards to making the Forty under 40 list, he commented, "I clearly would never be recognized in this way if it were not for each and every person at Lee Kennedy Co. Their support and friendship has gotten me where I am today. I am very honored to be their 'team captain.'"