Theodore F. Olt III has been elected by the board of directors of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated to succeed C. Dana Waterman III, who is retiring after 34 years as secretary and general counsel. Olt is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Iowa College of Law, and joined Lane & Waterman LLP in 1995. His law practice focuses primarily on corporate and transactional matters, including corporate law and governance, mergers and acquisitions, contracts, commercial real estate and environmental law, and is recognized with Martindale-Hubbel?s highest AV Preeminent® rating.

He is a member of the Society of Corporate Governance and is active in the Quad Cities community, currently serving on the board of directors of Illowa Council Boy Scouts of America as well as area coordinator for the U.S, Naval Academy Blue & Gold Officer (Admissions) program. He previously served as board chair for the Scott County Regional Authority and the Junior Achievement of the Heartland Central Region. Waterman served in the Lee post since 1989 and previously assisted in Lee legal matters.

Waterman joined Lane & Waterman in 1971 and served as its managing partner from 2001 to 2016, the fourth generation of the Waterman family to lead the firm. In 2017, he transitioned to an Of Counsel role, where he continues to advise business organizations and individuals on matters related to business structure, operations, governance, financing, transactions and risk and compliance issues. He continues to be active in community service organizations, serving as board chair of Genesis Health System; as a board member of the Quad Cities Contributors Council; as a co-trustee and secretary of The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation; and as a founding co-trustor of the Quad Cities Cultural Trust.

In December 2016, he was appointed Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Iowa (East), serving as the Secretary?s liaison to and supporting her priorities through engagement with and on behalf of soldiers in the active Army, National Guard and Army Reserve components, their families and veterans. He previously served as board chair of the Quad Cities Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Iowa Law School Foundation, the Putnam Museum and Science Center and the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce (and several of its affiliate and/or predecessor organizations), and as a member of the Augustana College board of trustees. He also serves on the boards of directors of several privately held companies.

In 2015 he was inducted into the Quad Cities Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement of the Heartland; and in 2020 he was selected as the Quad Cities Chamber Volunteer of the Year.