Larry W. Lee of Andy’s Seasoning is 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year

November 21 will mark five years since Katherine Anderson, co-founder of Andy’s Seasoning, passed away and left the business to her son, Larry W. Lee.

At that time, Lee made a pledge to the company’s employees: “She asked that we continue the legacy of Andy’s by working hard to ensure Andy’s survival and growth, so you will have a job for as long as you want a job at Andy’s.”

Lee, Andy’s CEO since 2011, has not only lived up to this promise of preserving jobs, but he has also increased the company’s staff numbers, revenue and product line.

“Larry had a challenge ahead of him when he had to succeed Katherine Anderson,” said Daniel Keao, national sales director at Andy’s Seasoning. “He took the helm and did a very good job of understanding what he had to do and lining up people to support him. Our business has grown and set sales milestones in the several years that he’s taken over.”

Aside from this, Keao said there are many reasons that Lee deserves to be recognized as the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year by the St. Louis American Foundation. But perhaps most important is the way he cares about every single one of his employees, he said.

“He not only cares about the people here but their family members as well,” said Keao, who has been with Andy’s Seasoning for 20 years. “That says a lot. He has integrity that I haven’t seen among corporate executives in my business experience.”

On Thursday, November 17, Lee will receive his award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Business Networking & Awards Luncheon.

Lee remembers helping out his stepfather Reuben and his mother Katherine in their home kitchen, when they were tinkering around with recipes. However, Lee did not go straight into the family business, but first became a pastor for almost 20 years. When Reuben died in 1996, Katherine was forced to seize the leadership reigns at Andy’s Seasoning. She quickly transitioned from a St. Louis city government worker to CEO of Andy’s Seasoning’s multi-million dollar operations. Lee also offered to lend a hand with the company.

“Initially our agreement was that I was going to work part-time,” he said, laughing. “She didn’t renege on her agreement; it’s just that it was impossible to do because of the things that need to be done.”

Lee soon came on board full-time, and the learning curve was steep for both him and his mother. However, bolstered by faith and a supportive staff, Katherine elevated Andy’s Seasoning to new heights. Under her leadership, the company reached a milestone of 25 years in business in 2006 and completed an expansion of 15,000 square feet at its facility at 2829 Chouteau Ave. The business also achieved significant sales increases in all segments of its seasoning and breading business.

After two or three years of working under Katherine, Lee remembers telling her: “A lot of people live their life and they never get a chance to enjoy doing anything that they do. They work a job for 40 years, and they hate their job. I have been richly blessed in that I have been able to do two things that I enjoy immensely.”

Lee knew he had big shoes to fill when his mother passed, and he has done so gracefully, his staff said. Under Lee’s leadership, the company obtained its global food certification, allowing the company to expand globally. And in that certification, it has an AA rating – the highest rating possible. Andy’s Seasoning has expanded its distribution to 44 states and Canada.

Edith Meeks, operations manager for the company, has known Lee for more than 30 years.

“He is my boss; he is also my pastor,” said Meeks, who came to the company 20 years ago. “To see him in that light, to see one transition to the other, in my opinion there is no difference because he operates the same in both: kind, gentle, loving, caring and honest. He is a man of integrity.”

The 17th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will be held Thursday, November 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, with a networking reception at 11 a.m. and luncheon program at noon. Tickets are $100 for VIP/Preferred seating, $75 for general admission. Call 314-533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com for more information or to purchase tickets.