Todd & Sargent wishes to announce the retirement of Lee M. Sargent. Lee retired as C.E.O. on December 31, 2019, after 52 years of service. Lee started working part time in 1962 during his high school years for his dad, Warren B. Sargent. He worked with the construction crew building the new warehouse at the Ames office on Arrasmith Trail and in 1965 building the wood cribbed grain elevator in Napier, Iowa. In 1970, Lee was hired full time after he graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering and became a Structural Engineer and Drafter in the Ames office.
In 1975, Lee became the Vice President of Engineering, and in 1981, he also became the Vice President of Operations. He became a specialist in the design and engineering of feedmills, flour mills, pet food facilities, grain elevators, industrial silos, and other industrial manufacturing facilities including biodiesel facilities.
From 1983 through 2005, Lee was the President and Chief Executive Operating Officer. His duties included developing, implementing, and managing overall corporate policies relating to Operations, Engineering, and Marketing. He was responsible for civil and structural engineering, silo design, structural analysis, slipform construction, and value engineering.
In 2006, Lee became Chairman of the Board and C.E.O. Upon his retirement, Lee will remain as Chairman of the Board and Jon Sargent will assume the role of C.E.O. Through the years, Lee was affiliated with the Associated Builders & Contractors, American Feed Industry Association, National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, Kansas State University Feed Science Advisory Board, and National Fire Protection Association 61 Board. Lee often attended the GEAPS, IPPE, and IAOM trade shows.
Lee and his wife, Sherry, live in Ames, Iowa, and enjoy the winter months in Scottsdale, Arizona. Lee enjoys woodworking, golfing, and traveling. We wish Lee all the best in his retirement.
