Texas Stock Exchange Leader Ready to Shake Up Wall Street

Thirty years ago, James H. Lee was part of the University of Texas’ McCombs School of Business Ambassador to Wall Street program. That experience in the heart of New York’s investment banking world kickstarted his finance career and fueled his passion for creating opportunities for future Texas leaders.

From Wall Street to the Texas Stock Exchange, affectionately dubbed Y’all Street, Lee, now 58, is the CEO of this new stock exchange aiming to become a top trading platform in downtown Dallas. With a strong backing from major players in Texas’ investment and political realms, the venture has already raised over $120 million, with investments from Blackrock and Citadel Securities, and is on track to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission soon.

Despite the dominance of NYSE and Nasdaq in other cities, TXSE aims to list its first company by 2026, benefiting from North Texas’ growing status as the country’s second largest financial hub. With the NYSE facing challenges and even contemplating a move to Texas to avoid new taxes in New York, TXSE, bolstered by Governor Greg Abbott’s support, is poised to become Texas’ biggest financial success story since the Dallas Cotton Exchange.

Leading the charge is Lee, a dedicated Longhorn and Houston native with an impressive career trajectory. From founding Momentum Securities, the largest direct-access broker dealer by trade volume, to being named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001 for e-Finance, Lee’s financial acumen and entrepreneurial spirit have earned him recognition. With his political ties, Lee serves on high-profile state boards, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, the Texas Finance Commission, and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Considering his contributions to finance and his love for Texas, Lee is a finalist for the 2024 Texan of the Year. Each year, the editorial board recognizes Texans who have made positive impacts, and the 2024 Texan of the Year will be revealed on Sunday, December 29th.