Title: Owner
Company: Ready Set Rent LLC
Location: Princeton, Texas, United States
Leland “Lee” B. Francis, Owner at Ready Set Rent LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Property Rentals.
Mr. Francis has established a distinguished career marked by adaptability, technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. Since 2005, he has served as the owner of Ready Set Rent LLC, where he manages two rental properties and oversees maintenance coordination through a property manager. His responsibilities include evaluating opportunities for expansion into Airbnb operations and generating additional income streams through property rentals. Under Mr. Francis’s leadership, the business has maintained steady growth and operational efficiency.
Before pivoting into rentals, Mr. Francis spent his career as a software engineer. Employed by AMX from 2002 to 2003, he contributed to the development and refinement of advanced control systems, leveraging his deep knowledge of chip-level programming, a field in which he is recognized as an expert. Mr. Francis’s technical acumen enabled him to address complex challenges and deliver innovative solutions that supported the company’s product offerings.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Francis worked for Tidel as a software engineer during the early to mid-1990s. His tenure at Tidel stands out as a period of significant achievement. When the company faced bankruptcy following its acquisition by a Saudi bank, he was tasked with developing a new product within two weeks to secure the future of the organization and its more than 260 employees. Mr. Francis pioneered the concept of installing low-cost automated teller machines in convenience stores using only a 1,200-baud dial-up line, a solution previously considered unfeasible by industry experts, who believed automated teller machines could only operate on dedicated phone lines in banks. Despite skepticism, he delivered a comprehensive presentation that led to project approval. His successful implementation not only saved the company but also contributed to the widespread adoption of automated teller machines across the U.S.
From 1976 to 1981, Mr. Francis worked as a software engineer in Ross Perot’s banking division, where he played an integral role in developing secure financial systems during a transformative era for banking technology. He also held the position of software engineer at I-Net early on in his career.
Mr. Francis began his professional journey in the U.S. Air Force, serving from December 1964 to October 1968 and attaining the rank of E-5. During his service, he worked on computerized payroll systems, a formative experience that introduced him to technology and laid the groundwork for his subsequent career in software engineering.
An educational path that reflects a commitment to hard work and perseverance rather than formal academic accolades, Mr. Francis was required to support a family of five while attending high school and working on a dairy farm at age 16, limiting his ability to pursue higher education. However, his military training provided foundational skills that propelled him into technology roles after leaving active duty.
Mr. Francis has demonstrated steadfast commitment to civic engagement through decades-long involvement with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in McKinney. As a lifetime member who has held every leadership position, including commander and quartermaster, he played an instrumental role in preserving the local post when it faced closure by the state. Mr. Francis’s personal contribution of $5,000 covered an overdue electric bill and helped restore financial stability for the organization.
Mr. Francis’s community service extends further through charitable woodworking projects. He crafts custom furniture pieces, such as table and chair sets for young children, and donates both materials and labor to local cancer charities, reflecting his dedication to supporting those in need.
Throughout his career spanning dairy farming, military service and software engineering, Mr. Francis attributes his success to unwavering dedication and consistent effort. These qualities continue to define his approach as he remains active in woodworking and business management. Looking ahead, Mr. Francis intends to expand his rental business by adding properties and diversifying revenue streams while continuing to rely on professional property management support.
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