James H. Lee (founder)
James H. Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1965 (age 59–60) |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin (McCombs School of Business) |
| Occupations | Businessman, investor |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of the Texas Stock Exchange |
| Spouse | Amy Lee |
| Children | Two |
James H. Lee is an American businessman and investor based in Dallas, Texas. He is the founder and chief executive officer of the Texas Stock Exchange, an electronic, national securities exchange announced in 2024 and headquartered in Dallas.[1][2]
Early life and education
Lee graduated from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in 1984. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1988 and a Master of Business Administration in 1992 from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. In 2005, Lee completed the Finance Executive Programme at the London Business School, with a focus on hedge funds and alternative investments.[3]
Career
Lee began his investment banking career at First Boston Corporation in Houston from 1988 to 1990, working in the Natural Resources Division of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group.[4] In 1991, he joined Lehman Brothers in New York, continuing in the same division.
In 1995, he co-founded Momentum Securities LLC, where he served as president until its acquisition by Tradescape.com in 2003.[5][6] He later led global electronic trading at E*TRADE from 2002 to 2004.
Since 2006, Lee has been the managing member of JHL Capital Holdings LLC, a Houston-based investment group.[7] He was also the president of Ascendant Advisors, a Texas-based investment advisory firm that manages the Ascendant Tactical Yield Fund from 2009 to 2021.[8]
In 2023, Lee founded TXSE Group Inc.[9] In June 2024, TXSE Group Inc. announced plans to launch the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE), where Lee serves as chief executive officer.[10] According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, TXSE submitted a Form 1 registration to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with investments totalling approximately $161 million as of January 2025.[11]
Public service
Lee has held several public appointments in Texas:
- Commissioner, Texas Finance Commission (2002–2004)
- Chairman, Teacher Retirement System of Texas (2006–2009)[12]
- Member, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (2013–2019)[13]
- Commissioner, Sunset Advisory Commission (2021–2023)[14]
Philanthropy
In 1998, Lee established the Mr. & Mrs. James H. Lee Endowed Presidential Scholarship at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas.[7]
Lee is president of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Symphony Endowment, managing a $100 million endowment.[15] He has served on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Board the UTHealth Development Board and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.[16]
Recognition
In 2001, Lee was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for e-Finance.[7]
Personal life
Jim Lee is married to Amy Lee, and they have two sons. The Lee family resides in Dallas, Texas.
References
- ^ "Leader of new Texas Stock Exchange plans to rock Wall Street". Dallas News. December 21, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ Basar, Shanny (February 3, 2025). "Texas Stock Exchange Raises $161m". Markets Media. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "James H. Lee". Texas State Directory Online. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "Advisory Council on the Digital Economy" (PDF). Texas State Senate. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 12, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "Momentum and Tradescape.com To Merge Day-Trading Operations - WSJ". The Wall Street Journal. July 1, 1999. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ Perin, Monica (July 11, 1999). "Merger turns Momentum into largest day trade firm". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Mr. & Mrs. James H. Lee Endowed Presidential Scholarship". Endowments. October 13, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "Ascendant Tactical Yield I". MutualFunds.com. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ Matthews, Laura; McGee, Suzanne (September 30, 2024). "Texas Stock Exchange moves closer to launch with leadership team, board". Reuters. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "BlackRock, Citadel Back Texas Stock Exchange in Challenge to NYSE". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ McGee, Suzanne; Nishant, Niket; Nishant, Niket (January 31, 2025). "Texas Stock Exchange files to operate nationally, eyes trading in early 2026". Reuters. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "The Audit of the Teacher Retirement System's Fiscal Year 2008 Financial Statements" (PDF). State Auditor’s Office. December 9, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 7, 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Ryan; Root, Jay (August 25, 2011). "Despite Scrutiny, Perry Gives Two Donors Plum Posts". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "Sunset Commission Members". Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "A Conversation with James H. Lee, Houston Symphony Endowment President". the Houston Symphony Endowment. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "Development Board". www.uth.edu. Retrieved September 23, 2025.