Robert E. Lee III, JA of Central Ohio’s Newest Board Member
Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Ohio is excited to announce the newest addition to our Board, Robert E. Lee III. Lee sat down with JA’s Communications team to share his story and why he believes in the mission.
Lee’s path to success isn’t defined by a traditional roadmap. Instead, it’s shaped by experience, resilience, and a passion for people that ultimately led him to build a thriving career in hospitality. Today, he is the Founder and President of Touchstone Hospitality, a full-service hospitality and airport concessions company, a Donato’s Pizza franchise partner, and a John Maxwell-certified coach, trainer, and speaker. But his journey began with far less certainty and far more exploration.
After graduating from high school, Lee moved to Columbus to attend DeVry University. Like many young people, he didn’t have a clearly defined plan for his future. While his sister pursued an academic path through Michigan State and beyond, Lee describes himself as more of a social student, unsure exactly where he fits. That uncertainty became opportunity when, at just 20 years old, he took a job at a hotel to earn some extra money. What started as a temporary role quickly became something much more meaningful. He discovered a natural connection to hospitality, an industry built on relationships, service, and human connection. “I fell in love with the hospitality space,” he shares. “I’m a people person, and it just fit.” That realization led him to step away from school and fully commit to the industry. This decision proved to be a turning point that would define the next several decades of his life. By the age of 20, Lee was already stepping into leadership as a Hotel Banquet Manager. From there, his career expanded steadily across the hospitality industry.
Over the course of 35 years, Lee built a diverse and dynamic career spanning hotels, restaurants, private clubs, and consulting, while embracing an entrepreneurial spirit. He owned and operated restaurants, including the Linden Café and Brownstone on Main, and later became a Tim Hortons franchisee, helping open multiple locations across the east side of Columbus. In 2013, new doors opened when he connected with Donato’s Pizza leadership, ultimately becoming a franchise partner and expanding his presence within the Columbus airport.
Despite his professional success, Lee is open about something that continues to shape his personal journey: he never completed his undergraduate degree. Over the years, he made several attempts to return to school, enrolling at institutions like Franklin University and Columbus State. However, each time he did, new career opportunities pulled him back into the workforce. Even without a degree, Lee still found himself teaching early in his career. In the early 1990s, he spent three years teaching entry-level hospitality courses at Columbus State Community College. Today, that experience fuels a renewed goal. As he approaches 60, he plans to return to school and complete his degree, with the intention of teaching again at the college level.
While he encourages others to pursue education, Lee also recognizes that his unconventional journey has allowed him to connect deeply with others. His story resonates with individuals who may feel limited by their academic experiences, offering a different perspective on what success can look like. “I always tell people that education is important,” he explains, “but so are soft skills. Things like emotional intelligence, communication, and how you show up every day.” This belief carries into his work as a John Maxwell-certified coach. Through this work, Lee focuses on leadership development and empowering others to grow, both personally and professionally.
His commitment to giving back is also evident in his involvement with Junior Achievement. Through the organization, he has found a meaningful way to invest in young people and help shape the next generation of leaders. What initially began as curiosity quickly turned into passion after he experienced the depth and impact of Junior Achievement. “It blew me away,” he recalls. “It gave me a new level of excitement about pouring into young people.” For Lee, this work is especially important for creating leadership opportunities for hospitality workers without higher education, specifically people of color. As a small business owner, Lee has found fulfillment in mentoring his employees with the goal to “create new leaders, and ultimately, owners.” By partnering with Junior Achievement, Lee will continue to further change the industry and provide more opportunities for people of color to enter leadership and owner roles.
As he steps into his role on the JA of Central Ohio Board, Robert E. Lee III brings decades of experience and community impact. Through his leadership and advocacy, Lee will play an important role in empowering the next generation of young people to achieve success in the workforce.
