Lee Wertheim began his journey with the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains in June of 1992. At that time the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains was struggling to form a new independent organization and find the resources to keep the doors open in one-half of an automotive garage which housed the organization.    

In the 25 years since those humble beginnings, Lee has faithfully served the board as secretary, treasurer, vice president and board president twice.  He has chaired the finance committee, actively served on the finance committee and endowment committees and served on the program committee over the years.  Lee has used his professional skills as a CPA to good use by handling all tax issues and filings to the state and federal governments for over 25 years for the organization.    

The depth of Lee Wertheim’s connection to the Boys & Girls Clubs in the Smoky Mountains and the southeast is very strong.  Lee has served for the past few years as the treasurer for the Tennessee Alliance.  He has also served as a mentor for Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help Boys & Girls Clubs in need across the southeast. Lee is also dedicated to training. He has attended more than 15 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conferences, Southeast Regional Leadership Conferences and Tennessee Area Councils at his own expense.    

Lee is also a great investor.  Lee has been a member of the Keystone annual giving society for the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains for over ten years.  He has contributed to every major capital campaign and regularly gives advice to board members of the best way to give for charitable purposes.     

Perhaps Lee Wertheim’s greatest strength is his passion for kids.  Lee loves to visit Boys & Girls Clubs and help teach programs like Money Matters or Productive Futures.  Lee has personally provided scholarships and mentored multiple kids over the years.  Lee’s favorite spot is the Boys & Girls Club Kodak Branch location near his home. He has led the charge for two renovation projects and is constantly looking for ways to better serve kids in Kodak, Tennessee.    

Lee Wertheim’s legacy was cemented in 2016, when a benefactor Lee had worked with for many years left the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains her entire estate of nearly 1 million dollars to the Boys & Girls Club Endowment to scholarship children to attend the local Boys & Girls Club.    

Lee Wertheim has dedicated the last 25 years to ensuring a productive future for the kids who attend the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains and across the southeast. Lee is   passionate, dedicated and committed to our children. Our community has benefitted greatly from his passion for kids and his ability to give back to his community.