Jeff Lee is no stranger to winning awards. As a managing partner at ABC Supply’s North Little Rock location, his leadership has helped earn 13 awards for the branch since 2012.

That did little to lessen his overwhelming sense of surprise and gratitude when he was named a Ken Hendricks Award winner in 2025, the roofing distributor’s highest honor.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” he said. “There are a lot of deserving people at ABC Supply for that award, and to be chosen for it? You know, it’s hard to sometimes come up with the words to describe how honored I am to be a Ken Hendricks Award winner.”

The 30-year industry veteran might find it hard to put into words, but his actions speak loudly for him. Having first joined ABC Supply in 2010, he has amassed multiple honors, including being inducted into ABC Supply’s President’s Club in 2015 and fostering a competitive fire in his experienced team as a mentor.

Coaching and Construction

Jeff Lee receiving the Ken Hendricks Award.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Ark., Lee, 53, jokes he had two options for his career: join the distribution industry or become a New York Yankee.

“I wanted to catch for the Yankees, but I wound up in roofing distribution. Either one would have been okay with me, so there you go,” he said with a chuckle.

Growing up, Lee participated in numerous sports, loving baseball among them. It was a natural extension of his competitive spirit, which initially led him to a sales position at Lomanco Vents. He then moved to San Antonio, Texas, for three years to serve as a territory manager.

Unfortunately, his father’s health had deteriorated, so he returned to Little Rock to be with him. Upon returning to his home state, he jumped into distribution with SPEC Building Materials. He spent three years with the distributor until joining Bradco Supply Corp. in 2002.

In 2010, ABC Supply acquired Bradco Supply, with Lee’s Little Rock branch becoming one of the 129 locations folded into ABC Supply. As a managing partner, Lee said he is ultimately responsible for sales, but the position also includes operations like fleet and purchasing, as well as managing his team.

“I’m making sure we’re delivering on the promises we make to our customers,” he said. “I really like the team concept, so coming in and getting everyone to work together as a team and deliver great service for our customers … it just felt good and felt natural from the start.”

Proof of this natural leadership is found outside of his career. In addition to his previous experience at other distributors, he served as a fast-pitch softball coach for 17 years after having kids. He has since retired as a coach, but is still building up his team at ABC Supply.

“I feel like I have a lot to offer a person because of my years of experience in the industry,” he said. “It’s fun sharing moments or past experiences.”

In fact, he draws on the namesake of his most recent award as inspiration. He said Hendricks would talk about leadership, saying it's a special feeling to empower someone with confidence and watch them win.

“I’ve watched it and been a part of it for many years and it never gets old,” he said. “I still do it every day and I love doing it, man. I love to watch a person grow.”

Lee is clearly doing something right. Since 2012, the branch has received 13 awards, including Gold, Platinum and Diamond level recognition. He credits ABC Supply for being an “associate-first” company that gives managers the tools they need to succeed.

“From there, you have to have a commitment to win,” he said. “And you have to be willing to start early and finish late.”

All this isn’t to say it’s been nothing but sunshine and rainbows for the Little Rock branch. Much like other distributors, let alone businesses around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic created tough times. It stood out to Lee as the most challenging time he faced due to the supply shortages, price increases and back-to-back severe weather events.

While much of that has corrected itself, he said these days some of the bigger challenges relate to price deflation and certain material prices rising due to tariffs.

“It’s trying to have the right amount of inventory so you don’t get hit in a bad place there,” he said.

Ken Hendricks Awards

Jeff Lee and his wife, Kim Lee, at the Ken Hendricks Award ceremony.

The Ken Hendricks Award, named after ABC Supply’s deceased co-founder, is given to employees who embody the company’s seven Core Values: Respect, Opportunity, Work Hard–Have Fun, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Family, Give Back, and American Pride.

Lee recalls receiving a phone call from ABC Supply Chairman Diane Hendricks about the award. He was so stunned that he ended up leaving work a few minutes early that day so he could process it.

“Diane’s just a dynamic person in so many ways. She’s so approachable and so easy to talk to. She made me aware of being the winner, and it was a great conversation,” he said.

Lee was joined by Matt Cooper, vice president of ABC Supply’s West Region, as a 2025 recipient. Both were brought to the company’s headquarters in Beloit, Wis. They then went to ABC Supply Stadium, where they received their awards during a ceremony with both family and co-workers present.

“Beyond being extraordinary leaders who continuously drive our teams to success, Jeff and Matt make their associates, customers and communities feel valued,” said Mike Jost, ABC Supply’s president and chief operating officer, in a written statement.

For Lee, making customers feel valued is in part due to an expansive inventory that turns the branch into a one-stop shop, saving them both time and effort. The other facet is his team. He said their collective knowledge and experience has made them valuable resources to customers.

“We are so grateful that Jeff and Matt chose ABC Supply as their home to grow their careers,” Diane Hendricks said in a written statement. “They embody so much of what Ken believed made a good leader and person.” 

Lee also credits his team for sharing in his competitive drive, which he describes as something that can’t be taught.

“A person either has that or they don’t,” he said. “So you build a team that has competitive spirit and you get after it. You get all those things correct, and you have the support of a company like ABC Supply, and ABC’s commitment to win? We have a great story to tell.”

As someone who embodies ABC Supply’s Core Values, Lee is all about the “work hard–have fun” aspect of the business. When asked about it, he said it is important to have a balance in life, and that working hard can “ride along the side” of having some fun.

In his case, he enjoys spending time with his family as well as hunting and fishing. It’s fitting, then, that he can add one more trophy to his collection.

“It’ll be something I cherish forever,” he said of his award.