Lee Elberson

Chief Executive Officer, Lead Math Tutor

Lee Elberson was born and raised in southern Louisiana and joined the Marines at age 17 in search of discipline, something he certainly found. He went on to earn a degree in physics from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he was inducted into the Sigma Pi Sigma honor society. He later pursued graduate studies in atomic physics at the University of Maryland, conducting laser-based molecular manipulation experiments, and did his PhD research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on relativistic electron transport in laser-induced plasmas (essentially, using big lasers to make small stars). Lee’s love for all things quantifiable is matched only by his passion for education. He has earned perfect math and science scores on both the ACT and SAT.

A regular voice on WINA radio and the host of the Future of Education podcast, Lee is deeply engaged in the Charlottesville community. He volunteers extensively, especially with the Better Future Foundation and C4K Clubhouse, where he mentors under-resourced students. As an eternal entrepreneur, he also donates his time to the Community Investment Collaborative, helping local founders build and sustain successful businesses. Whether speaking at local events or pitching his next big idea, Lee brings contagious energy and a growth mindset to every project. Outside of work, he finds joy in hiking and camping, particularly when exploring new trails, and he is always up for a strategic board game, a squash match, or a complex LEGO build.