Plant City has a number of active and renowned civic clubs, and each is led by a dedicated member of the community. But the Plant City Lions Club approaches leadership a little bit differently.
In the club’s 84 years of existence, it has instated 84 different presidents. Each term lasts one year, and no one president has served more than one term. The club is proud of this system, as it gives nearly all committed members an opportunity to sit at the head of the table.
July 1, 2014, was a monumental day in Plant City Lions Club history. The club’s first Asian president, Tony Lee, was instated. He will serve until June 30, 2015, coming from a background marked by compassion and sacrifice.
War-Torn Beginnings
Lee grew up in Vietnam. By the mid-’70s, the war had ended, but there was a mass exodus after communism had begun to take over the nation. When Lee was 12 years old, he and his family joined throngs of “Boat People” in a life-or-death escape.
“We left everything back there — you can’t carry anything to the boat,” Lee said. “Some people died along the way because of the ocean and the weather. Or sometimes, pirates would take over the boat. … It was a very tragic time in history.”
Unlike some families that were divided among the boats, Lee, his parents and his five siblings were fortunate enough to stay together. After three nights on the boat, they spent two years in a Malaysian refugee camp.
Refugees at the camps hoped to be sponsored by churches or other organizations around the world, which would give them an opportunity to start a new life on safe, though unfamiliar, ground. An Episcopal church in New York sponsored Lee’s family, and so New York would become their new home.
“My only vision of the U.S. was what I saw on TV,” Lee said. “I thought it was a really cold place, thinking of the North Pole or something, with icicles hanging from the trees.”
When the family arrived in New York on a balmy August day, Lee was surprised not only by the weather, but also that Americans seemed so big and tall to him. At 14, the only word of English he knew was “hello,” but he was a quick learner and graduated from high school with honors four years later.
Becoming Floridians
Lee focused on marketing and management at Siena College, in New York, but a degree was not the only result of his studies there. He also met his wife, Teresa, who had come to the United States as a refugee from civil war in El Salvador, also at age 14.
“Sometimes, when people experience something similar, the bond is so strong,” Lee said.
In 1990, Lee started his career in insurance, in New York. By 2000, Lee’s parents had retired to Florida for its warmer climate, which was much more similar to Vietnam’s than New York’s had been. But, they were uncomfortable relocating alone because of the language barrier, so Lee, his wife, and their son and daughter packed up and moved with them.
“After awhile, I decided, OK, we’re going to make a sacrifice,” Lee said.
The Lees settled in Valrico that summer.
Lee found an opportunity with State Farm, and after a few years, was promoted to leadership roles in Pinellas County. But, when an opportunity arose for him to manage his own agency in Plant City in 2010, the family relocated again. Lee now has a staff of five, including Teresa, at his agency on South Alexander Street.
Lion for Life
Soon after his family moved to Plant City, Lee was at a Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce event when another member encouraged him to explore the Plant City Lions Club.
“She told me that if you’re going to join any civic organization, you should be a Lions member,” Lee said.
Though he didn’t know anything about the Lions at the time, Lee started going to its weekly lunch meetings, learning about the club’s mission and getting to know the other members.
“What I enjoy most about the club is our mission to help people with sight and hearing … and I love how we care for the community.”
Lee moved his way through the ranks of third vice president, second vice president and first vice president, knowing he would eventually have the opportunity to serve as president for one year. The chapter’s series of unrepeated presidents is one of its distinct features.
“It’s rare because a lot of clubs don’t have enough membership, or people don’t step up to take over the chair,” Lee said. “We’re lucky in that regard — we have enough members to step up every year.”
One of Lee’s goals for the year is to continue inviting and adding new members. He hopes there will be more members when he finishes his term as president than there were when he started. But, he knows that the existing members are critical for the club’s health and success as well.
“The club is very supportive of each other,” Lee said. “We have a few board members that have been there a long time. Anytime I need some help, they’re always there to give me guidance.”
Unique Perspective
Lee is unique among the Lions’ 84 presidents in many ways, but perhaps one of the most significant is his history. Because he knows what it’s like to be in need of help after experiencing that firsthand, he understands how important it is to encourage others to rise above their challenges.
“The reason I want to share my journey and the challenges I’ve been through with the members and anyone who wants to listen — to give them hope … that if you have a dream and you’re willing to work hard, I think it’s possible,” Lee said.
After fleeing his home 40 years ago on a rickety ship, with nothing but the clothes on his back, Lee has built a career in the insurance business, put two children through college and become a social and civic leader in the community. He attributes his success to hard work and no excuses, but also being able to start from scratch in the land of opportunity.
“The people in this country have no idea of the opportunity they have,” Lee said. “Can you imagine coming from nothing? Having nothing to start with, and all the negatives against you — the language barrier, the culture barrier — and you still can make it.”
Did You Know? | Tony Lee is an accomplished practitioner of martial arts. He practices Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido and Jeet Kune Do three times a week and has earned three black belts. “It’s a lifelong study for me,” he said.
— Catherine Sinclair