Lee Messersmith » Mayor

Biographical Info

Lee is a native of Benton who graduated Benton Consolidated High School in 1990, SIU-C in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications and a Master’s Degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX 1998.

He led in local churches in Jackson, Mississippi and Naperville, Illinois in various capacities, as well as starting and managing Messersmith Construction, Inc.

Lee’s leadership highlights include being Operational Director for Community Christian Church in Naperville. During this time he became a published writer for Outreach Magazine.

In 2010, Lee and his family returned to Benton. During the last nine years he managed a remodeling business while serving in various community rolls such as the Benton Grade School PTO. In 2014, Lee started and became president of the Rend Lake Bike Club. Then in 2015, he opened Cycle1 Cycling Studio. In 2018, Cycle1 was voted as Benton/West City Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.

In August 2018, Lee began leading as facilitator for the inaugural year of the Franklin County EDGE Program. The program brings together students from all Franklin County school districts for a year-long programmatic experience of entrepreneurial development that earns dual credit with Rend Lake College.

Lee served as Streets and Improvements Commissioner for the City of Benton from May of 2019 through April of 2023.  Lee’s current term as Mayor will run from May of 2023 through April of 2027.