Stephen Lee

Stephen Lee graduated from Lamar University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. While attending Lamar, he earned four letters playing football, including 33 consecutive starts at center, where he was ultimately recognized by the Associated Press as a 1-AA All American.

He began his career in banking with North Park National Bank in Dallas before returning to Southeast Texas in 1993, spending the next 10 years serving in leadership roles with three regional banks. During this time, he earned a graduate degree from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University, where he was recognized with the Bracewell and Patterson Outstanding Graduate Award in 1999.

In 2004, he transitioned briefly out of banking with Pulte Homes in Orlando, Florida, as Vice President of Field Operations before returning to Southeast Texas to take over as CEO and President of Orange Savings Bank in 2008. Under his leadership, the bank expanded into Jefferson County before merging with First Financial Bank in 2013. In 2018, Stephen was recognized by First Financial Bank as the eighth recipient of the Walter F. Johnson Award for his leadership in recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey on Southeast Texas. In April 2024, he was named President and CEO of the First National Bank of Bastrop, becoming the ninth CEO in its 135-year history serving Bastrop County. 

He and his wife Jami, who also graduated from Lamar in 1995, live in Beaumont and have two boys, Mitchell and Michael. Mitchell graduated from Lamar University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Michael graduated from Texas State University in 2023. Stephen has been actively involved in supporting the greater Southeast Texas Region for more than 25 years, having served as a Director of the Lamar State College-Orange Foundation, Chairman of the Lutcher Theater, Inc. Board, Director of Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Foundation and Director of the 100 Club of Southeast Texas. His term on the Board of Regents expires in 2027.