Joseph R. Lee
Living Tribute Fund
Established 2005
Former chairman and CEO of Darden Restaurants, Joe Lee was named to this position on May 29, 1995, when Darden Restaurants split from General Mills Restaurants. Mr. Lee began his career at General Mills in 1967 as a member of Red Lobster’s founding team and manager of the first Red Lobster in Lakeland, Florida. When General Mills bought the fledging seafood chain in the 1970s, he was named president and CEO.
