Gunderson names Tom Lee president

Gunderson Marine & Iron (GM&I), Portland, Ore., has appointed Tom Lee as president, strengthening the company's executive leadership as it continues its growth across marine manufacturing, complex steel fabrication, and defense projects.

Dee Burch will hold the role of chief executive officer and owner, continuing to lead the company's long-term strategic vision, customer relationships, and future growth initiatives.

Lee joins GM&I with more than 28 years of executive leadership experience in heavy industrial construction and manufacturing. Most recently Lee served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at JH Kelly, where he led day-to-day operations across the organization, helping grow the company through disciplined operational execution and strategic expansion.

 As president Lee will oversee GM&I’s daily operations, working closely with leadership teams across engineering, production, project management, procurement, and support services to continue delivering complex marine and heavy fabrication projects safely, efficiently, and on schedule. 

“Tom is the right leader to help guide GM&I through this next chapter,” said Gunderson CEO Burch. “He brings a rare combination of operational

excellence, field experience, and leadership that aligns perfectly with our culture. His experience building strong teams, improving performance, and managing complex industrial operations will be invaluable as we continue expanding our capabilities and serving customers across the maritime, infrastructure, and defense industries.”

Lee began his career as a field engineer and advanced through project management, finance, and executive leadership roles, giving him firsthand experience across every level  of heavy industrial operations. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale capital projects, implemented enterprise-wide operational improvements, and built high-performing leadership teams while maintaining a strong focus on employee development and long-term organizational success.

“I'm honored to join at such an exciting time in the company's history,’ said Lee. “Gunderson has built an incredible reputation over more than a century of craftsmanship, innovation, and resilience. I look forward to working alongside this talented team to build on that legacy, strengthen our operations, and continue delivering exceptional results for our customers.”

Since acquiring Gunderson Marine & Iron in 2023, Burch has led the company'stransformation, restoring production capacity, expanding its project portfolio, and positioning the shipyard for long-term growth.

 Under his leadership, GM&I has secured significant commercial, infrastructure, and defense work, reinforcing its role as one of the West Coast's premier marine manufacturers and heavy steel fabricators.

 With Lee now overseeing daily operations, Burch will focus on strategic growth, business development, capital investments, and strengthening partnerships throughout the maritime and industrial sectors.