Lee Crume, President & Chief Executive Officer, BE NKY Growth Partnership

The View 1071 Celestial St. Cincinnati, OH 45202

Join us on Thursday, January 21, 2027, for a LUNCH (12:00-1:30pm) meeting at The View (1071 Celestial St, 45202), for a program with Lee Crume, President & Chief Executive Officer, BE NKY Growth Partnership.

Lee Crume is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BE NKY Growth Partnership, Northern Kentucky’s regional economic development organization serving Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties. Since being appointed CEO in 2019, he has led the organization’s efforts to attract new businesses, support the expansion of existing companies, and strengthen the region’s long-term economic competitiveness.

Under Crume’s leadership, BE NKY has achieved record levels of business investment and job creation while launching major initiatives focused on workforce development, business attraction, data-driven decision-making, and regional collaboration. In 2025 alone, BE NKY announced 15 economic development projects, resulting in 1,914 new jobs and more than $425 million in capital investment. The organization has also invested in education and workforce initiatives to help meet the region’s growing talent needs.

Before joining BE NKY, Crume held senior business development and executive leadership positions with JobsOhio, UPS, Pitney Bowes, IKON, and other private-sector organizations. He brings more than 30 years of experience in economic development, strategic planning, corporate growth, and business recruitment.

Crume has been recognized as one of Consultant Connect’s Top 50 Economic Developers in North America three times and is a graduate of the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2023. He serves on several regional boards, including the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Kentucky Port Authority, and LifeSciKY. He earned both a Master of Arts in Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate and Organizational Communication from Western Kentucky University.

RSVPs are required to attend, whether you are eating lunch or not, so if you would like to attend, please click HERE by 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 15, 2027, or contact [email protected]. If you are not a current member of the Rotary Club of Cincinnati, please note lunches are $30, and payment will be collected at the door via cash, check, or credit card.  Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Meal Choices – 

Regular Entrée: TBA

Salad Entrée: TBA

Vegetarian Entrée: TBA