Trip Pittman Utilizes Skills Learned at DKE to Prosper in Career and Political World
Joining Delta Kappa Epsilon was an easy decision for Alabama State Senator Lee “Trip” Pittman ’82, who was originally from Birmingham and grew up in Crestline. His father, Jim Pittman ’59, had been a DKE and had a great experience, and it’s where Trip made many of his lifelong friends.
“I’ll never forget coming to the University my senior year of high school with my father. It was Homecoming and Psi Day Tea that weekend, and I got to meet a lot of my dad’s friends’ sons at the DKE house, such as Turner Williams ’79 and Russ Noe ’80.”
While in school, Trip credits DKE for many skills he learned that he still carries with him today. Among them are: keen memorization skills, the ability to stay in shape, and the ability to adapt to whatever came his way—whatever the weather. Also, he says the DKE house was where he truly learned to persevere as a business man and maintain diligence in the political world.
As for advice he offers to undergraduates, Trip says, “you need to have fun. Make sure you play hard and study hard. And always remember there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
“If you love life, do not waste time, for that is what life is made of.” And, “With DKE, it’s never over!”
During his days in the house, Trip stepped up as a leader within the chapter. He was proud to be Dr. Psi in 1979-80 and now shares this common bond with his son, Lee IV ’14, who is the current Dr. Psi. And serving two years as Capstone Man at the University taught him many great skills, as well. Trip was also in ROTC while in school and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1983, spending most of his time in the Alabama National Guard, later honorably discharged in 1996.
Trip’s dedication to Psi Chapter continues today, as he was a donor during the recent capital campaign to build the new DKE house. “I can’t thank the house committee [enough] for all their hard work and outstanding job with the new house.”
When he came back to see the new house last fall, he says it was a great experience—the house looked great, he had great interactions with a lot of the actives, and he saw many brothers he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Besides spending much of his time in the Alabama State Senate, Trip is also an avid businessman. He founded Pittman Tractor Company in Daphne, Alabama, in 1988, a world-wide dealer in heavy equipment. He has also been a member of the Baldwin County United Board of Directors, Bayside Academy Board of Trustees, Baldwin County Compass Bank Board, Eastern Shore Sertoma Club, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and is chairman of the Alabama Education Commission.
Trip and his wife, Lynn (a UofA Chi O), have three children: Reynolds, a KKG senior at
Alabama; Lee ’14; and virginia, a junior at Bayside Academy. Their family lives in Montrose, Alabama. Trip touts that he’s been a resident of Baldwin County since age 11—except for his days at the University and time in the military. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, golfing, and watching his youngest daughter play volleyball. You can contact Trip at [email protected].