What does life look like after serving on the Dallas City Council? For outgoing City Councilman Lee M. Kleinman, it is heading to the private sector to help businesses and landowners navigate the confusing City Hall bureaucracy that he just left.
Masterplan, a nationally renowned leader in land use, zoning, and permitting, has named veteran City Councilman, Lee M. Kleinman, as their new Senior Advisor. As Senior Advisor, Lee will provide companywide leadership and client support based on his in-depth experience working at City Hall. With nearly fifteen years of experience working with the City of Dallas, Lee is exceptionally qualified to provide support to clients seeking government approvals. As former chairman of Dallas’ Legislative Committee, he brings experience lobbying and working directly with the Texas Legislature in Austin, TX and the U.S. Legislature in Washington D.C. as well as local government organizations.
“Lee is an economic development professional that will greatly contribute to the success of our clients and the continuous growth of Masterplan,” said Dallas Cothrum, CEO of Masterplan. “His knowledge of city operations will continue to set Masterplan apart as a leader in land use and municipal support.”
Lee is a born and raised Dallasite with an impressive combination of business savvy and civic knowledge. He began his professional career as a principal entrepreneur for high-growth and startup companies in the cellular and software industries. Lee first ventured into the work of civic leadership through his appointment to the Dallas Parks Board and hasn’t looked back.
During his tenure with the Dallas City Council, Lee directed millions of dollars to improve local streets, water infrastructure, libraries, and parks and trail systems. Throughout his time improving the quality of life for Dallas residents, he is most proud of his contribution to the improvement of the Dallas Park and Recreation system. During 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, the trail system saw a huge increase in usage which has yet to recede.
Although his time as an elected official of the city has ended, Lee will continue to be a fixture in the Dallas community. Dallas ISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa has requested Lee chair Dallas ISD’s North Dallas Market Share task force for the Office of Transformation and Innovation. Part of his efforts on this committee will review demographic patterns for future schools. Lee is also engaged in the advisory committee for the Southern Gateway Park Foundation. The Foundation seeks to create more than five acres of new, urban green space on I-35 in South Dallas. As Chair of Dallas’ Transportation Committee, Lee secured funding and TXDoT support for the infrastructure part of this project while ensuring TXDoT delivered a context-sensitive design for the adjacent community.
Lee earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Psychology from Pitzer College followed by a Masters in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University – Cox School of Business. In his quest to give back to the community, he currently serves in several civic leadership roles, including the Friends of Northaven Trail.