Dr. Lee Hale

James "Lee" Hale, Ed.D.

Founder, CEO, and Senior Consultant

Dr. James "Lee" Hale brings more than three decades of distinguished service in public education to his role as Founder and CEO of 11th Connection Consulting. A lifelong resident of the Shalimar and Fort Walton Beach area, Dr. Hale has dedicated his career to empowering students, educators, and communities through innovation, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

After earning his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration from Samford University (1993), Dr. Hale earned several advanced degrees (M.Ed., Ed.S.) in education, culminating in a Doctorate (Ed.D.) in Instructional and Performance Technology from the University of West Florida. His academic journey reflects his passion for blending organizational leadership with instructional innovation.

Dr. Hale began his career at Choctawhatchee High School, where he was a National Board Certified Teacher and taught business technology and social studies, coached athletics, and twice earned recognition in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. His leadership trajectory continued as Coordinator of Choctaw Academy, Assistant Principal at Choctawhatchee High, and later Principal of Meigs Middle School, where he spearheaded groundbreaking programs in gifted education, STEM, and extracurricular enrichment. Under his guidance, Meigs earned four consecutive “A” ratings from the State of Florida.

In 2016, Dr. Hale became the first alumnus to serve as Principal of Choctawhatchee High School, leading the school to renewed academic and athletic success. His impact expanded further in 2019 when he was appointed Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for Okaloosa County Schools. In this role, he became a respected negotiator and policy advocate, driving more than 200 notable innovations across HR, equity/investigations, professional services, and risk management, including the launch of a self-funded health insurance program that substantially improved employee benefits while literally saving his school district millions.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Hale has served as an adjunct professor at Northwest Florida State College, contributed to statewide education policy initiatives, and held leadership roles in numerous professional and civic organizations. He also serves on the Advisory Board for Children in Crisis, Inc., reflecting his deep commitment to community service.

Faith and family remain central to Dr. Hale’s life. An active member of First Baptist Church in Fort Walton Beach, he has taught Sunday school for over two decades and now leads a class for new believers. He and his wife, Gretchen, have been married for more than 30 years and enjoy boating, golf, music, and time with their adult children, Brett and Eve, and son-in-law Johnny. 

Through 11th Connection Consulting, Dr. Hale now channels his wealth of experience into guiding organizations, schools, and leaders toward sustainable growth, innovative solutions, and people-centered success. His career stands as a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and connection.

Dr. Hale's Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Hale's Dissertation