Lee Vaccaro Introduction
Throughout his career, Lee Vaccaro has worn many leadership hats: CEO, COO, CMO. More importantly, he’s able to put on whatever hat is necessary for the job at hand. As a purpose-driven executive, understands the importance of doing one thing and doing it well.
Vaccaro has excelled from an early age, winning an Academic Games national championship in high school. He started his first business in his college apartment. Vaccaro was only 25 years old when BCD was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America.
Regardless of the endeavor, Vaccaro has shown an aptitude for innovation. He has displayed tremendous marketing skills across multiple industries. He successfully moved his retail storefronts online, licensing his business model in the process. He applied aerospace technology to the consumer marketplace, developing industry-leading products. He understands the importance of internet marketing as a managing partner for a company specializing in search engine optimization.
Vaccaro has enjoyed living with his family in Las Vegas, NV and Laguna Beach, CA. He’s an active member of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, serving with his son in the high school ministries program. Vaccaro also volunteers at the El Morro Elementary computer lab.
Lee Vaccaro started his first company in between classes at The University of Southern Florida.
His insight identified a growing marketplace for computer component sales, and his relentless drive launched Brainchild Computer Distributions from Vaccaro’s apartment into three retail storefronts. His passion was apparent to his alma mater, as USF signed a $500,000 computer contract with BCD.
In 1998, Inc. Magazine listed BCD as one of the fastest growing companies in America. Lee’s vision grew the company from $404,000 in sales to $7.8 million in four short years—a staggering 1,838 percent.
It was this same vision that enabled Vaccaro to see the writing on the wall. The barrage of dot coms were killing local retail markets by selling items below cost—playing with “monopoly money” that Vaccaro knew would run out. In 1999 he closed the doors of his brick-and-mortar stores to pioneer a model of e-commerce. BCD 2000 was the brainchild of this paradigm shift, which used a number of innovations to avoid the dot com bubble.
Vaccaro’s entrepreneurship meant he had a high tolerance for risk. In the midst of closing his retail stores and developing BCD 2000, he saw an opportunity in the options market. Vaccaro was able to parlay a $50,000 investment into $1.2 million when a high-flying fiber optic company made its mark on the industry.
In 2006, Vaccaro began directing marketing and sales for an aerospace company. He worked with a number of government agencies including the US Air Force, Department of Defense, and FBI. Vaccaro also worked with contractors Northrup and General Dynamics to develop unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs).
Within a few months, Vaccaro began working on consumer applications for the military grade technology. As a result, he co-founded Lew Racing, Inc with inventor Paul Lew. As CEO, Vaccaro marketed military grade carbon fiber technology to the cycling industry while streamlining a production model for the world’s lightest carbon-fiber wheel set. Through Vaccaro’s efforts, Lew Racing became the USA Olympic Cycling Team’s technology provider.