His name was Robert W. Lee, but everybody called him "Bubba."
A successful businessman, a leader in the community and the state of Alabama, Bubba Lee died Tuesday at his home in Gulf Shores with his wife, Cheryl, beside him.
Bubba and his brother Tommy Lee, now the CEO, have headed Vulcan Signs for a generation after it was started by their father.
They grew the company to financial success. They also grew it into an unusual employee-owned company. It has no outside investors. Employees receive stock every year. They are working for themselves and for each other. No one employee owns more than five percent of the stock.
The Lee brothers also grew it into a political force in Baldwin County and elsewhere in the state. Bubba Lee was one of the founders of the Business Council of Alabama. He served as state chairman of BCA in 1995-1996. He is the Chairman Emeritus of BCA.
BCA is a powerful force in Alabama politics in statewide, legislative and judicial elections. They raise funds for pro-business candidates and give a powerful endorsement from their Progress PAC.
Bubba Lee’s role in the business voice of Alabama was enshrined in an annual award established by BCA – “The Robert W. Bubba Lee Political Courage Award.”
The Lee brothers helped start a Baldwin County political group named GUMBO — Gulf United Metro Business Organization. They grew it from a handful of business owners to a large organization in Baldwin County. It is now highly sought after by political candidates for their support and campaign fundraising.
Vulcan first started in 1966 in Birmingham as Vulcan Signs and Stampings. Two years later, the company relocated one of its facilities from Birmingham to Foley. By 1975, Vulcan had moved all of its operations to Foley, where it continues to operate today.
Vulcan manufactures highway signs, utility markers and aluminum rolls.
Arrangements for Bubba Lee will be announced.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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