“For me, service has never been a chapter that ended—it has simply taken different forms throughout my life.”

VetFran is proud to welcome Lee Droog, U.S. Army Veteran and owner of Mr. Electric of Chapel Hill and Cary, to the VetFran Committee. Lee brings a unique perspective shaped by her military service, corporate leadership experience, entrepreneurial journey, and ongoing commitment to supporting the Veteran community. As she joins the committee, Lee shares how each chapter of her career has built upon the last and why she believes the skills developed through military service can provide a powerful foundation for entrepreneurship and franchise ownership.

A Note From Lee:

I began my career as an active-duty enlisted service member, where I learned resilience, discipline, adaptability, and the importance of serving something greater than myself. Those values have remained the foundation of every chapter that followed.

After leaving the military, I transitioned into healthcare, where I continued serving others through patient care while developing a deep appreciation for leadership, compassion, and solving complex challenges. From there, I entered corporate America with General Electric, where I discovered just how much I loved innovation and continuous improvement. I found myself energized by solving problems, leading cross-functional initiatives, and participating in GE’s innovation competitions.

At my core, I have always been a lifelong learner. Curiosity has fueled every stage of my journey, leading me to earn my Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Stanford University. The Lean Startup methodology and principles of customer-centered innovation deeply influenced the way I think about leadership, problem-solving, and building organizations. More than anything, those experiences confirmed what I had long suspected—that I was an entrepreneur at heart.

Today, I am proud to own Mr. Electric of Chapel Hill and Cary. While my title has changed, my purpose has not. The discipline, perseverance, and commitment to excellence that military service cultivated continue to guide every decision I make. Entrepreneurship has become another avenue to serve—creating careers, developing leaders, solving problems for customers, and building a business rooted in integrity and accountability.

Equally important to me is serving the veteran community. I have long been passionate about helping veterans recognize that their greatest strengths don’t end when military service does. Our resilience, adaptability, leadership, and ability to overcome adversity are extraordinary assets that can propel us into meaningful second careers and successful business ownership.

That passion has led me to serve as a PATHH Guide with Boulder Crest Foundation, where I have had the privilege of walking alongside fellow veterans as they pursue post-traumatic growth. I also serve as Vice President of the Carolina Veterans Alumni Network (CVAN), where I work with an incredible team dedicated to strengthening UNC Chapel Hill connections, creating opportunities, and supporting veterans and military families long after they leave active duty.

Joining the Vet Fran Community feels like a natural extension of that mission. Vet Fran brings together two causes that are deeply personal to me—empowering veterans through entrepreneurship and helping them realize that the leadership, resilience, and values forged during military service can become the foundation for thriving businesses and meaningful second careers. I am honored to contribute to an organization that opens doors for veterans and military community, while helping them write the next chapter of their service.

Looking back, each chapter has prepared me for the next. The military taught me resilience and leadership. Healthcare strengthened my compassion. Corporate America expanded my perspective on innovation. Entrepreneurship has allowed me to bring those experiences together to serve my employees, my customers, my community, and, most importantly, other veterans.

If I hope other veterans take one message from my story, it is this: military service is not the end of your mission—it is the foundation for what comes next. The skills you built in uniform are powerful, transferable, and uniquely valuable. With curiosity, lifelong learning, and the courage to embrace new challenges, your next chapter may be your most impactful yet.

Neighborly: A Trusted Partner in the Journey

Lee’s story reflects the mission at the heart of VetFran: helping Veterans recognize the value of the skills they gained through military service and the opportunities those skills can create through business ownership. That mission has deep roots at Neighborly. In 1991, Don Dwyer Sr., founder of what is now Neighborly, helped establish VetFran to create a pathway to franchise ownership for Veterans transitioning to civilian life. Today, as a proud founding member of VetFran, Neighborly continues that commitment by supporting Veterans as they pursue entrepreneurship and new opportunities to lead and serve. As Lee joins the VetFran Committee, she will help carry that mission forward, bringing her experience as a U.S. Army Veteran, franchise owner and Veteran advocate to the national conversation.

Ready to explore your next mission? Visit franchise.neighborly.com to learn more and take the first step toward business ownership.