'Two-tour' FL senator begins next chapter: CEO of $300M family office

The past few years have been pivotal for former Florida Senate Pres. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, and his friend Tom Pepin, the 72-year-old former CEO of Tampa-based Pepin Distributing Co. 

Lee left office in 2020 with two years left on his term, knowing he wanted to dedicate more time to his family but unsure of his next move. Pepin sold his family’s beer, wine and beverage distribution business to Maryland-based Redwood Capital in 2021 and has had a mind to put the $300 million in proceeds to work for generations to come. Over the past few years, Lee, with a background in homebuilding and real estate development, acted in a consulting capacity and he recently stepped in as CEO of the newly formed Pepin Family Office.