Douglas Elliman Realty announced on July 25 that Kathryn Lee has been named president of Douglas Elliman Texas.
Lee previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Staff Counsel at Elliman Texas, and was instrumental in the brokerage’s expansion into Houston, Dallas and Austin. Former CEO Jacob Sudhoff will continue with the firm as co-owner of Douglas Elliman Texas and in his new role as senior management advisor.
Prior to joining Elliman, Lee served as Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Sudhoff Companies until Douglas Elliman formed a joint venture with Sudhoff Companies to form Douglas Elliman Texas. She has been a strategic family investor at Sudhoff Companies since 2010, becoming a major influencer in the company’s high-end real estate development in retail, multifamily and residential with projects ranging from value-added repositioning to ground-up construction.
Prior to her career in real estate, Lee owned, operated and franchised 22 Applebee’s across the state and managed a team of 70 executives with 1,300 employees. She was the only female franchisee of a global restaurant brand. Prior to the restaurant business, Lee previously worked at Vinson & Elkins in finance.
Born and raised in Houston, Lee graduated with honors from Rice University and holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
