Started in 1898 by William Lapedes, today Lion is still family owned and managed. Grandson Richard Lapedes is Lion’s Chairman of the Board. Steve Schwartz, CEO, and Andrew Schwartz, Corporate Counsel, great grandsons of William, work alongside of Richard in the business.With stable family ownership, Lion takes the long-term approach to investment in the best people, new technology, and systems. The result of this commitment gives our global stakeholders confidence in Lion’s ability to deliver on the promise in its mission statement.